Rural Health
News by Topic: Health workforce
Oct 21, 2026 - The medical school at the Arkansas Colleges of Health Education (ACHE) in Fort Smith has announced the launch of its Doctor of Public Health in Leadership for Rural Health and Sustainable Development program. The first cohort comprises physicians, nurse practitioners, and people working in government agencies, hospital systems, and health-focused nonprofits.
Source: Texarkana Gazette
Oct 20, 2026 - Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama offers a medical scholarship program to help students pursue healthcare careers. Recipients get financial support for their final 2 years of school and in return they agree to complete their residency and practice in an underserved area of Alabama for at least 3 years.
Source: Bham Now
CMS: Medicare Program; Implementation of Sections 6219, 6220, and 6224 of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026
Federal Register
Oct 20, 2026 - Notice of a proposed rule that would implement the following sections of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026: 1) section 6219, "Adjustments to Medicare Part D Cost-Sharing Reductions for Low-Income Individuals;" 2) section 6220, "Requiring Enhanced and Accurate Lists of (REAL) Health Providers Act;" and 3) section 6224, "Modernizing and Ensuring Pharmacy Benefit Manager Accountability." The implementation of Section 6219 would reduce the generic drug copayment from $1 to $0 for full-benefit dual eligible individuals at or below 100% of the Federal Poverty Level, effective for plan years starting January 1, 2028. The implementation of Section 6220, the REAL Health Providers Act, would establish new provider directory accuracy and accountability requirements for Medicare Advantage (MA) organizations beginning in contract year 2028. In addition, CMS has several proposals to implement section 6224, which established requirements related to pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) and their affiliates specific to the Medicare Part D program. Comments are due by December 15, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Oct 20, 2026 - The Mercer School of Medicine in Georgia has been designated the Georgia Grown Medical School for its work in addressing rural physician workforce shortages by training local residents.
Source: The Den, Mercer University
Oct 20, 2026 - Discusses a Hawaii-based tuition scholarship program that addresses healthcare workforce shortages by requiring 5 years of work in qualifying rural Hawaii communities. The program is supported by Rural Health Transformation Program funding. Describes challenges with rural healthcare practice and other incentive programs aiming to address workforce shortages in the state.
Source: West Hawaii Today
Oct 16, 2026 - Announces newly awarded Department of Labor funding to support job training for a variety of industries in rural communities including healthcare, information technology, and more. Funding was offered through the Appalachian Regional Commission, Delta Regional Authority, and Northern Border Regional Commission.
Source: U.S. Department of Labor
Oct 14, 2026 - Mississippi State University-Meridian and Mississippi Christian University in Clinton will share a $500,000 U.S. Department of Education grant to expand clinical training opportunities for physician assistant students in rural Mississippi. The funding runs through August 2029 and will help strengthen the healthcare workforce and improve patient outcomes.
Source: Mississippi State University
Oct 14, 2026 - Announces a new South Dakota statewide initiative to create regional emergency medical services hubs for the purpose of coordinating resources and strengthening the workforce.
Source: KOTA
Oct 14, 2026 - Mississippi officials are creating a new state health plan focusing on access to care, workforce, and sustainability in public health systems. The new plan will update the last plan published in 2023. The process is being funded with Rural Health Transformation Program funds.
Source: Mississippi Today
Oct 8, 2026 - Notice of proposed rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that would amend the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 (CLIA) regulations. This proposed rule would allow for virtual access under the CLIA certificate of the primary testing laboratory that generated the data and the use of digital images for gynecologic cytology proficiency testing, make changes to personnel qualification requirements, and more. Comments are due by December 7, 2026.
Source: Federal Register