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Rural Health Information Hub
Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
News by Topic: Emergency preparedness and response

Jun 5, 2026 - Executive Order from the Office of the President regarding cybersecurity, the protection of critical infrastructure, and artificial intelligence (AI) innovation. Among other things, this Executive Order directs the Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with directors of other appropriate agencies, to issue binding operational directives and other guidance to facilitate access to AI-enabled cybersecurity tools and services for federal agencies; state and local authorities; and operators of critical infrastructure, including rural hospitals, community banks, and local utilities. This order also establishes an AI cybersecurity clearinghouse, in voluntary coordination with the AI industry and critical infrastructure operators, to identify and remediate software vulnerabilities at scale.
Source: Federal Register
May 26, 2026 - Notice from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) announcing a virtual town hall meeting schedule to allow external stakeholders an additional opportunity to provide input on refining the scope and burden of the April 4, 2024, Cyber Incident Reporting for Critical Infrastructure Act of 2022 (CIRCIA) Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM). Meetings are scheduled for June 15 – 18, 2026, from 11:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Registration is required.
Source: Federal Register
Apr 24, 2026 - Order from the Federal Communications Commission waiving certain program rules for the Rural Health Care Program providers impacted by Hurricane Milton. Highlights changes to deadlines for appeals and waivers, information requests, and invoices as well as document retention rules.
Source: Universal Service Administrative Co.
Apr 21, 2026 - Announces additional resources and flexibilities from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to assist with the ongoing public health emergency (PHE) in Hawaii declared on March 10, 2026 related to the severe storms, flooding, landslides, and mudslides. Shares information and resources for those impacted and responding to the severe storms and flooding, including CMS waivers, a period of special healthcare enrollment, a disaster toolkit, dialysis care, medical equipment and supplies replacement, access to Medicare Part D medications, and health information privacy and accessibility resources.
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services