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Rural Health Information Hub
Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
News by Topic: Emergency preparedness and response

Jul 16, 2026 - The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) are seeking comments on various topics related to Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 including breath testing; laboratory processes and procedures; emergency preparedness, biosafety and security, and cybersecurity; and specialty testing areas. The use of remote direct observation for assessing laboratory personnel competency for the benefit of rural and remote facilities is of particular interest. Comments are due by September 14, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Jul 13, 2026 - Discusses disaster response and recovery measures rural West Virginia communities have implemented as a result of floods in 2016. Notes that rural communities may have additional recovery challenges as they are more likely to have aging populations and fewer resources.
Source: Public News Service
Jul 10, 2026 - Announces additional resources and flexibilities from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to assist with the ongoing public health emergency (PHE) in Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands declared on July 9, 2026 related to the Super Typhoon Bavi. Shares information and resources for those impacted and responding to the disaster including CMS waivers, 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
Jul 8, 2026 - Announces that the Federal Communications Commission has waived certain Lifeline, E-Rate, Rural Health Care, and Contributions rules and deadlines for those impacted by Super Typhoon Bavi in Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
Source: Federal Communications Commission
Jul 7, 2026 - Describes disaster response and recovery plans and training for rural Hawaiian communities led by local organizations and community groups. Discusses the focus on local needs and risks, particularly the risk of isolation following a disaster.
Source: Civil Beat
Jul 1, 2026 - Notice from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announcing the establishment of the Alliance of National Councils for Homeland Operational Resilience—Critical Infrastructure (ANCHOR-CI). ANCHOR-CI is an advisory body comprised of sector, cross-sector, regional, and industry councils that provide group advice and recommendations to the Secretary of Homeland Security through the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) Director to ensure a coordinated national effort to foster a secure and resilient critical infrastructure and cyberspace, exchange best practices pertaining to technical assistance, and cooperatively maintain mechanisms for collaboration with Sector Risk Management Agencies.
Source: Federal Register
Jun 28, 2026 - Profiles the all-volunteer Yoder Fire Department, which protects about 248 square miles and serves about 700 residents throughout its district. Highlights how recruitment of young people has been key to the success of the department, whose members routinely support wildfire operations from Colorado to Virginia.
Source: Cowboy State Daily
Jun 25, 2026 - The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will hold an open meeting on June 25, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. Eastern. Agenda items include a discussion of proposed rules that would ensure the reliability and interoperability of Next Generation 911 networks, among other things. The meeting can be viewed on the FCC website.
Source: Federal Register
Jun 24, 2026 - Describes how University of Nebraska Medical Center researchers are examining the health and environmental impacts of Nebraska's spring wildfires on rural and agricultural communities.
Source: Fox Nebraska
Jun 18, 2026 - Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) seeking comments on revisions to an information collection titled "Submission of 1135 Waiver Request Automated Process." CMS aims to better support emergency response by capturing the emergency date, simplifying ongoing status updates for stakeholders, and providing a more comprehensive view of cybersecurity incidents through expanded reporting on patient and operational impacts. The Acute Hospital Care at Home (AHCAH) initiative was codified in the Consolidate Appropriations Act, 2025, and is no longer part of the 1135 waiver information collection request. Comments are due by July 20, 2026.
Source: Federal Register