Skip to main content
Rural Health Information Hub
Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
News by Topic: Health workforce

Oct 19, 2026 - Pre-publication 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 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
Oct 8, 2026 - Highlights a health career pathways program in Montana that accelerates the path to completion for healthcare degrees. The program aims to train rural students in an effort to fill rural healthcare workforce gaps.
Source: University of Montana News
Oct 7, 2026 - Highlights the healthcare work happening in rural communities during a tour of a rural health system in Minnesota. Discusses the outcomes following financial investment, access to specialty care, the focus on building the rural healthcare workforce, and how collaboration impacts the future of rural healthcare.
Source: Sanford Health
Oct 5, 2026 - Discusses recent research finding surgeon workforce shortages in rural communities. Notes that one driver of the shortage is surgeon training not meeting the workforce demand.
Source: The Week
Oct 1, 2026 - Announces new awarded funding in Alabama from the Rural Health Transformation Program. Initiatives include maternal and fetal health, emergency medical services for stroke response and treat-in-place services, simulation training, cancer screening and treatment, equipment upgrades, and workforce pipeline projects.
Source: Office of Alabama Governor Kay Ivey