Rural Health
News by Topic: Funding
Apr 6, 2026 - A North Carolina hospital that closed in 2023 may be reopened as the state's first Rural Emergency Hospital. Discusses funding and the impact on local economies with facilities close.
Source: North Carolina Health News
RBS: Notice of Funding Opportunity for the Delta Health Care Services Grant (DHCS) for Fiscal Year 2026
Federal Register
Apr 6, 2026 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Rural Business-Cooperative Service (RBS) is accepting applications for the Delta Health Care Services (DHCS) grant program for fiscal year 2026. The purpose of the program is to address the unmet healthcare needs in the Delta Region through cooperation among healthcare professionals, institutions of higher education, research institutions, and economic development entities in the region.
Source: Federal Register
Apr 1, 2026 - Announces the launch of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Rural Development Eligibility Lookup Tool. The tool can be used to determine eligibility across multiple USDA programs including Community Facilities, Electric, OneRD Guarantee, Rural Business and Cooperative Services, and Water and Environmental Program.
Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development
Mar 30, 2026 - Announces U.S. Department of Agriculture funding for one hub site and 5 end-user sites in rural Kentucky with distance learning and teleconferencing equipment. The equipment will allow for mental health and substance use telehealth services in addition to college and career readiness.
Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture
Murkowski, Schatz Reintroduce Bipartisan Legislation to Expand and Modernize Native Housing Programs
Mar 27, 2026 - Highlights the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Modernization Act of 2026, bipartisan reauthorizing legislation addressing access to safe, affordable housing for American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians.
Source: United States Senate Committee on Indian Affairs
Mar 27, 2026 - Discusses food insecurity in South Dakota and efforts by some South Dakota-born members of the Pittsburgh Steelers to raise awareness and money for a local nonprofit. Discusses the particular challenges for a rural and native communities.
Source: KOTA
Mar 26, 2026 - Highlights the Rural Health Agenda, a bipartisan and bicameral group of proposed legislation aiming to support rural hospitals through increased Medicare reimbursement, introduce new funding to promote innovation in rural emergency healthcare, and incentivize rural communities for healthcare workers through extended loan repayment programs.
Source: Office of Senator Marsha Blackburn
Mar 26, 2026 - Highlights a recently published report to discuss maternal healthcare and resource access challenges in rural Texas. Discusses telehealth and federal programs as potential solutions to those access challenges.
Source: KRWG, PBS, NPR
Mar 26, 2026 - Describes a telestroke program in Oklahoma connecting rural patients to specialty care. Discusses the funding that makes the program possible, plans to expand the program using Rural Health Transformation Program funding, and a similar program in Arkansas.
Source: KOSU, NPR
Mar 25, 2026 - Announces increased funding caps for Federal Communications Commission (FCC) programs including the Rural Health Care program under the Healthcare Connect Fund.
Source: Federal Communications Commission
Related funding:
Rural Health Care Program – Healthcare Connect Fund

