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Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
News by Topic: Access

Aug 6, 2026 - New medical residents are joining a rural Oregon practice as part of the Oregon Health & Science University graduate medical program. Discusses how the program can expand access to healthcare in central Oregon.
Source: KTVZ
Aug 6, 2026 - Describes a telehealth pilot program in Montana to address rural child abuse by connecting rural providers with training, resources, and referrals to medical providers who have specialized training in child abuse care. Discusses the lifelong health, wellness, and economic challenges that can be avoided through early intervention.
Source: University of Montana News
Aug 6, 2026 - Notice from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) seeking comments on the renewal and revision of information collections related to the USDA Food Distribution Programs. Comments are due by September 8, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Aug 5, 2026 - Describes the Rural Immersion Program, a program in Missouri offering healthcare students more information on the challenges associated with rural healthcare and wellness in Missouri.
Source: KTTN
Aug 5, 2026 - A new pharmacy has opened in a rural Wisconsin community. Discusses the access challenges the community has previously faced and the advantages of participating in a network of pharmacies.
Source: WKBT
Aug 5, 2026 - Highlights a new mobile outreach bus working in Knox County, Indiana. The bus aims to offer health and human services for those with transportation barriers, including people in the surrounding rural communities.
Source: WTHI
Aug 4, 2026 - The American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer has added a new accreditation category for rural hospitals with the goal of improving healthcare quality and outcomes for cancer patients. Notes that there are fewer accredited hospitals and less access to specialty care in rural areas.
Source: PR Newswire
Aug 4, 2026 - Summarizes recent research finding that the first 5 years of the Veterans Affairs Clinical Resource Hubs program saw increased use of telemental health services among rural veterans. The study also found a shift in care delivery from clinic-based video visits to video visits in patients' homes.
Source: VA Health Systems Research News
Aug 3, 2026 - Highlights a new medical center opening between Oklahoma City and a tribal reservation. The medical center is intended to bring healthcare services closer to Chickasaw Nation. The facility will include inpatient care, surgical services, labor and delivery, dental care, a pharmacy, research space, and more.
Source: KOSU, NPR
Aug 3, 2026 - Offers data showing use of Health Resource and Services Administration (HRSA)-funded health centers in 2025, noting that health centers saw the highest number of patients in the program's history. Rural areas saw the most growth. Also discusses funding for supporting food-based interventions, healthcare quality, and the role of health centers as training sites for the future health workforce.
Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services