Rural Health
News by Topic: Funding
Feb 2, 2026 - Discusses overdose death disparities in rural Georgia and new funding for 18 communities to support community-based responses. Notes rural-specific challenges in addressing the opioid crisis.
Source: The Georgia Virtue
Feb 2, 2026 - Announces a new learning network from the National Academy for State Health Policy offering state level officials a forum for sharing approaches for strengthening rural primary care systems. Discussions will include recent relevant federal policy, workforce, facilities, funding, technology, and administration. Includes an interest form to learn more.
Source: National Academy for State Health Policy
RBS, RHS, RUS: Notice of Funding Opportunities for the Strategic Economic and Community Development Program for FY 2026
Federal Register
Feb 2, 2026 - Notice from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Rural Business-Cooperative Service (RBS), Rural Housing Service (RHS), and Rural Utilities Service (RUS) providing application requirements for funding reserved under the Strategic Economic and Community Development (SECD) priority program. USDA is implementing SECD in fiscal year 2026 by reserving funds from the covered program. This notice describes the requirements by which RD will consider projects eligible for covered programs' reserved funds and information needed to apply.
Source: Federal Register
Jan 29, 2026 - Describes an increase in mental health needs in rural Kerr County, Texas following devastating floods in July 2025. Discusses the long-term impact of trauma, limited mental healthcare options in the area, and planned philanthropic funding to address the community's mental health needs.
Source: The Texas Tribune
Jan 28, 2026 - Highlights new funding for a mobile health clinic designed to expand access to healthcare in rural New York and support training healthcare workers.
Source: St. Bonaventure University News & Events
NTIA: NTIA Listening Session on the Use of BEAD Funds Saved Through the Trump Administration's Benefit of the Bargain Reforms
Federal Register
Jan 27, 2026 - The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) will hold a virtual listening session on February 11, 2026, from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. Eastern regarding the use of the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) program funds. The listening session will gather input from stakeholders to inform NTIA's future planning and policy development. Meeting materials will be available on NTIA's BroadbandUSA website.Pre-registration is required.
Source: Federal Register
Jan 20, 2026 - Highlights a state-funded program offering charter flights for rural Hawaiians with off-island medical appointments. Describes current and projected funding needs for sustainability, physician shortages in rural areas, reimbursement rate challenges driving workforce shortages, and the state's Rural Health Transformation Program plans.
Source: Honolulu Civil Beat
Jan 14, 2026 - Describes various rural healthcare-focused investments across Oklahoma. Discusses long-term investment strategies, telehealth, workforce training and retention, cancer care access, and preventive care.
Source: News 9
Jan 12, 2026 - Discusses a program offering mental healthcare to students in a rural Virginia school. Highlights the program's funding, the increased mental healthcare access for rural children through school-based programs, and mental health awareness.
Source: Cardinal News
Jan 7, 2026 - Notice from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) seeking comments on an information collection regarding a form related to the COVID-19 Provider Relief Fund (PRF) and American Rescue Plan (ARP) rural payment reporting activities. The information collection is used to assess if statutory and programmatic requirements are met; conduct audits; report on findings with respect to the disbursements of PRF and ARP Rural payments; and for the program evaluation. Comments are due by February 6, 2026.
Source: Federal Register