Rural Health
News by Topic: Behavioral health
Jul 31, 2026 - Announces new bipartisan legislation that would increase access to the Rural Emergency Hospital (REH) program. The bill would both add eligibility flexibility for current hospitals at risk of closure and expand access for some previously closed rural hospitals. The bill would also allow REHs to offer inpatient psychiatric care, offer limited inpatient rehabilitation services, and enter into swing bed agreements. Also notes other legislation to support rural healthcare.
Source: Office of Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith
Jul 29, 2026 - Describes obstetrical and gynecological workforce shortages in Wyoming. Discusses the impact of the shortages on provider burnout, availability of routine maternal healthcare, recruiting and retention in rural and other communities, and clinic finances. Discusses the focus on maternity care in Wyoming's Rural Health Transformation Program plan.
Source: WyoFile
Jul 29, 2026 - Describes a behavioral health services clinic in rural Michigan that expands access to care in a previously underserved region. Discusses services provided and early positive results.
Source: Michigan Health & Hospital Association
Jul 28, 2026 - Announces new proposed legislation that would offer federal funding to incentivize interstate mental healthcare through telehealth with the goal of increasing access to care for rural communities.
Source: Office of Senator Angus King
Jul 17, 2026 - Shares discussion from the 8th annual Opioid Response
Summit, held in Bangor, Maine, on creative approaches to
bring recovery supports to remote areas of the state. Maine
has 19 recovery community centers, where people with
substance use disorder can attend support groups.
Source: The Maine Monitor
Jul 15, 2026 - Describes a North Carolina network offering training and support for healthcare providers offering medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) through a hub-and-spoke model. Discusses how the model works in rural communities and integrating the treatment into primary care.
Source: The Daily Yonder
Jul 14, 2026 - The Department of Health and Human Services is seeking comments on training and care delivery models to ensure safe and effective use of psychedelic drugs. Questions for consideration include training regarding patient eligibility, drug administration, and post-administration follow up; access for Federally Qualified Health Centers, Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics, and Rural Health Clinics; and technologies that allow for expanded access while maintaining patient safety. Comments are due August 13, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
CDC: Agency Forms Undergoing Paperwork Reduction Act Review
Federal Register
Jul 6, 2026 - Notice from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) allowing an additional 30 days for comment on the April 7, 2026, notice regarding a proposed information collection that will be used to improve public health/public safety partnerships and responses to the overdose crisis that involve public safety. Comments are due within 30 days of this notice.
Source: Federal Register
Jul 5, 2026 - Describes high rates of suicide in Lake Tahoe and the surrounding rural communities. Discusses limited resources and mental healthcare available for suicide prevention, access to firearms, and community led efforts to address suicide.
Source: The Guardian