Rural Health
News by Topic: Health conditions
Dec 17, 2025 - Comments are being accepted for the 2025 Measures Under Consideration (MUC) List which includes 24 unique measures under consideration by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid for quality reporting purposes. Comments are also requested on 5 measures aligned with Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) priorities. Written comments are due January 6, 2026. Also offers opportunities for live comments during January 2026 listening sessions.
Source: Partnership for Quality Measurement
CMS: Medicare Program; Alternative Payment Model Updates and the Increasing Organ Transplant Access (IOTA) Model
Federal Register
Dec 11, 2025 - Notice of a proposed rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) updating and revising the Increasing Organ Transplant Access Model (IOTA Model) for Performance Year (PY) 2, which will begin on July 1, 2026. The IOTA Model tests whether performance-based upside risk payments or downside risk payments paid to or owed by participating kidney transplant hospitals increase access to kidney transplants for patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) while preserving or enhancing the quality of care and reducing Medicare expenditures. Comments are due by February 9, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
FDA: Revocation of Emergency Use of a Drug Product During the COVID-19 Pandemic; Availability
Federal Register
Dec 8, 2025 - The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has revoked an Emergency Use Authorization issued to Genentech, Inc. (Genentech) for Actemra (tocilizumab). The revocation is effective August 8, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Dec 8, 2025 - Discusses new research finding disparities in Alzheimer's-related outcomes for rural Marylanders due to more limited access to care compared to urban residents.
Source: Medical Xpress
Dec 5, 2025 - Highlights a prostate cancer awareness program for African American men in local barber shops. The initiative offers educational resources in addition to barber-initiated conversations on lifestyle and wellness screenings. Discusses the importance of building connections in trusted environments.
Source: ECU Health
Dec 3, 2025 - Highlights a program offering mental health services to Texas farmers. Discusses how the program was developed, as well as high rates of factors contributing to poor mental health, access to mental healthcare, and stigma among rural and farming communities.
Source: AgriLife Today
Dec 1, 2025 - Offers tips for avoiding grain bin auger incidents, noting that injuries peak between January and June. Explores data showing risk factors for injury related to activity and age.
Source: Indiana Prairie Farmer
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 24, 2025 - Notice of final rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) making changes related to End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) Prospective Payment System (PPS) for calendar year 2026 and updating the payment rate for renal dialysis services furnished by an ESRD facility to individuals with acute kidney injury (AKI). Among other things, this rule also updates requirements for the ESRD Quality Incentive Program and modifying and terminating requirements for the ESRD Treatment Choices Model. These regulations are effective January 1, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 21, 2025 - Profiles a rural Vermont medically complex child to highlight challenges in accessing specialty care for rural residents. Describes the emergency care action plan created by her medical team that allows her to continue living safely in her rural community.
Source: Larner News and Media