Rural Health
News by Topic: Behavioral health
Apr 8, 2026 - Describes challenges for family caregivers in rural communities where support and resources are limited. Discusses stress and financial strain for caregivers as well as funding needs.
Source: IW Features
Apr 7, 2026 - Notice from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) seeking comments on a proposed information collection titled "Public Health/Public Safety Strategies to Reduce Drug Overdose Data Collection." The information collected will be used to improve public health/public safety partnerships and responses to the overdose crisis that involve public safety. Comments are due by June 8, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
CMS: Medicare Program: Fiscal Year 2027 Inpatient Psychiatric Facilities Prospective Payment System -- Rate Update
Federal Register
Apr 7, 2026 - Notice of a proposed rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) updating the FY 2027 prospective payment rates, outlier threshold, and wage index for Medicare inpatient hospital services provided by inpatient psychiatric facilities (IPF), including psychiatric hospitals and excluded psychiatric units of an acute care hospital or Critical Access Hospital. Among other things, this rule proposes refinement of the IPF PPS outlier policy, implementation of a standardized IPF patient assessment, and the removal of two measures used in the IPF Quality Reporting Program. Comments are due by June 1, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Apr 7, 2026 - Describes a free Arkansas farmer mental health support program utilizing both telehealth and on-the-farm visits, addressing access and stigma associated with receiving mental health support. Highlights how the program was created.
Source: Delta Farm Press
Apr 6, 2026 - Profiles a recovery high school in rural Maine in response to substance use among youth. The high school will have a boarding component to better reach the dispersed rural population. Discusses the lack of youth addiction services in the area, maintaining educational achievement while using substances, stigma, and funding.
Source: The Hechinger Report
Mar 30, 2026 - Describes the work of Nebraska researchers who are investigating treatment barriers and facilitators of success for rural people with addiction. Discusses the impact of both stigma and support networks in treatment.
Source: WJAG
Mar 30, 2026 - Announces U.S. Department of Agriculture funding for one hub site and 5 end-user sites in rural Kentucky with distance learning and teleconferencing equipment. The equipment will allow for mental health and substance use telehealth services in addition to college and career readiness.
Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture
Mar 25, 2026 - Notice from the U.S. Census Bureau allowing an additional 30 days for comments on the December 5, 2025, notice regarding revisions to the National Survey of Children's Health (NSCH). NSCH is designed to collect data on the physical and emotional health of children age 18 and younger, including information related to access to healthcare, family interactions, and school and afterschool experiences, among other things. Comments are due within 30 days of this notice.
Source: Federal Register
Mar 25, 2026 - Announces bipartisan legislation to improve access to mental health and addiction services for farmers and ranchers in rural communities.
Source: Office of Representative Derrick Van Orden
Mar 18, 2026 - Summarizes recent research finding disparities in mortality between urban and rural residents with cancer. The study analyzed 27,710,318 cancer deaths between 1969 and 2023 and compared rural and urban trends during that time. Notes drivers of outcome disparities including access to care, healthcare screenings, poverty, smoking, and more.
Source: American Cancer Society