Rural Health
News by Topic: Health workforce
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 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
HRSA: Recharter for the Council on Graduate Medical Education
Federal Register
Sep 30, 2026 - The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) announces the renewal of the Council on Graduate Medical Education. The charter is effective through September 30, 2028.
Source: Federal Register
Sep 30, 2026 - Describes awarded projects as part of West Virginia's Rural Health Transformation Program's first year of funding. Projects include telehealth upgrades, mobile healthcare, training, staffing, and artificial intelligence.
Source: West Virginia Public Broadcasting
Sep 29, 2026 - Announces a new diabetes management program for rural South Carolina that builds on a previous successful program. The new program uses a community health worker model that coordinates a multidisciplinary team working to aid program participants in managing their diabetes.
Source: Clemson News
Sep 29, 2026 - Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services making technical and typographical corrections to the August 4, 2026, final rule. These corrections are effective October 1, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Sep 29, 2026 - Feedback is requested from healthcare leaders, educators, clinicians, and care providers regarding real-world needs as part of a national assessment of training and workforce needs. The survey is offered by Praxis Center in Montana, a planned training facility focused on rural simulation-based professional development.
Source: Praxis Center
Sep 28, 2026 - Highlights research investigating creativity as a method of reflection and personal growth for nurses working in Critical Access Hospitals. Discusses how art and creativity impact care the nurses are able to provide their patients, in addition to their own work and life balance.
Source: University of Colorado Anschutz College of Nursing Newsroom