Rural Health
News by Topic: Emergency medical services
Nov 28, 2025 - Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
(CMS) making technical corrections to the
November 5, 2025, final rule. This correction is
effective January 1, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 22, 2025 - Describes challenges with sustaining emergency medical services in rural Wyoming, discussing a shortage of volunteers, limited funding, and responding during poor weather.
Source: Cowboy State Daily
Nov 20, 2025 - A medical service helicopter has been stationed at a rural Texas airport to offer faster access to emergency care. The helicopter acts as a mobile intensive care unit and can offer advanced procedures during transportation to specialized treatment facilities.
Source: 12 News Now
Nov 5, 2025 - Notice of a final rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) addressing: 1) changes to the Physician Fee Schedule and Medicare Part B payment policies; 2) policies for the Medicare Prescription Drug Inflation Rebate Program under the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022; 3) the Ambulatory Specialty Model; 4) updates to the Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program expanded model; 5) updates to drugs and biological products paid under Part B; 6) Medicare Shared Savings Program requirements; 7) updates to the Quality Payment Program; 8) updates to policies for Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs); 9) updates to the Ambulance Fee Schedule regulations; 10) codification of the Inflation Reduction Act and Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 provisions; and 11) updates to the Medicare Promoting Interoperability Program. These regulations are effective January 1, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Oct 22, 2025 - Analyzes recent and projected population shift data to describe anticipated changes to Appalachian communities. Discusses the impact declining population would have on those communities and vital services in them such as hospitals, emergency services, schools, and more.
Source: The Daily Yonder
Oct 14, 2025 - A rural Montana sheriff's department is offering deputies a first responder medical training and certification program. The program would allow deputies to assist emergency medical services (EMS) providers in situations with multiple victims or provide aid while waiting for EMS to arrive. Notes that understaffing, poor weather, and large service areas can make EMS response times long. Discusses upcoming work by the state legislature to address EMS challenges.
Source: EMS 1