Rural Health
News by Topic: Health workforce
Sep 22, 2026 - Announces a free Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) supported conference for 988 and behavioral health crisis system state, territory, and tribal grantees, federal partners, subject-matter experts, providers, and other key partners to discuss strengthening crisis services and systems, as well as network with colleagues. The conference is December 15-17, 2026 in Washington, D.C. Rural response in crisis care is a topic of interest.
Source: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
Sep 18, 2026 - Describes technology being used in Nebraska that may facilitate better access to healthcare for rural patients and enhanced training for healthcare students.
Source: WOWT
Sep 17, 2026 - Discusses recent research highlighting labor and delivery service access issues and describes challenges for rural Missouri. Discusses long travel times to care, why offering labor and delivery care is challenging for rural facilities, and how Rural Health Transformation Program funding is supporting doula and other services aiming to fill gaps.
Source: KCUR, NPR
Sep 16, 2026 - Highlights a Virginia community paramedicine program and describes the challenges faced in offering the service, most notably funding and workforce. Discusses how community paramedicine can relieve strain on community emergency services which are often volunteer-run in rural communities.
Source: Cardinal News
Sep 14, 2026 - Highlights a healthcare career exploration event for rural middle school students in Tennessee.
Source: ETSU News
DHS: Eliminating the Discretionary 60-Day Grace Period
Federal Register
Sep 11, 2026 - Notice of proposed rulemaking from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) proposing to remove the availability of the up to 60-day discretionary grace period upon cessation of employment for individuals in certain nonimmigrant classifications. Comments are due by November 10, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
DHS: Fee for Certain H-1B Petitions
Federal Register
Sep 10, 2026 - Notice from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) making corrections to the August 25, 2026, proposed rule titled "Fee for Certain H-1B Petitions."
Source: Federal Register
Sep 10, 2026 - The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has announced awards to 132 hospitals in 13 states through the Rural Hospital Provider Assistance Program. This will help eligible small rural hospitals maintain their workforce, sustain essential services, and strengthen patients' access to care.
Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Sep 9, 2026 - New funding has been awarded to the University of Louisiana at Lafayette as part of the state's Rural Health Transformation Program funding. Projects include the use of artificial intelligence that allow healthcare providers to identify areas of unmet need across the state and in their communities, as well as funding academic programs that give nursing students clinical experience and create new workforce initiatives.
Source: University of Louisiana Lafayette University News
Sep 8, 2026 - Describes an industry tours program for rural high school advisers in Missouri aiming to support them in adding similar tours for their rural students. Notes the improved employment outcomes for students and employers that participate in similar programs.
Source: The Daily Yonder