Rural Health
News by Topic: Health workforce
Aug 28, 2026 - The University of Northern Colorado's College of Osteopathic Medicine opened in July with its first class of 81 students. The new school will help address the physician shortage in Colorado, where 54 of its 64 counties have Primary Care Health Professional Shortage Areas, and 31.2% of physicians are of retirement age.
Source: Colorado Politics
Aug 28, 2026 - Notice from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) seeking comments on proposed revisions to an information collection request titled "The National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Programs, OMB No. 0915-0127—Revision." Among other things, proposed revisions include two new forms and updating terminology regarding "Disadvantaged Backgrounds." Comments are due by October 27, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Aug 28, 2026 - Various Virginia community-based organizations are among the first wave of grantees who will use Rural Health Transformation Fund (RHTF) money to hire and retain rural healthcare providers, invest in healthcare technologies, and strengthen the healthcare workforce in rural areas. Virginia received a total $189 million in RHTF money late last year.
Source: Virginia Mercury
DHS: Fee for Certain H-1B Petitions
Federal Register
Aug 25, 2026 - Notice of proposed rulemaking from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) proposing to establish a $103,265 fee, payable at the time of filing, for all H-1B cap-subject petitions, including those eligible for the advanced degree exemption. The proposed fee would be in addition to all other applicable fees or payments. This fee would serve as a dedicated revenue mechanism to help recover a portion of the federal government's costs of administering the lawful immigration system. Comments are due by September 24, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Aug 25, 2026 - Profiles a University of Iowa medical student who aims to practice in rural Iowa where there are physician workforce shortages. Discusses the importance of including rural training in medical school to prepare students for rural practice.
Source: Iowa Stories
Aug 24, 2026 - Describes challenges in emergency medicine services (EMS) delivery in Colorado and how EMS agencies across the state are supported. Discusses long response times, mobile training methods, community outreach and volunteers, and rural blood shortages.
Source: University of Colorado Anschutz Health Science
Aug 21, 2026 - Discusses recent federal and state policy measures supporting the community health worker workforce including the Rural Health Transformation Program, training and certification, and sustainable funding.
Source: Association of State and Territorial Health Officials
Aug 21, 2026 - Notice from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) seeking comments on proposed revisions to an information collection request titled "Faculty Loan Repayment Program OMB No. 0906-0082—Revision." Among other things, proposed revisions include two new forms and updating terminology regarding "Disadvantaged Backgrounds." Comments are due by October 20, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
American Nurses Enterprise Awarded $5 Million to Spearhead AI Training for Rural Nursing Communities
Aug 20, 2026 - Announces new funding for an artificial intelligence (AI) training program focused on nurses in rural, remote, and underserved communities. The program aims to train nurses to safely and effectively use AI in clinical environments.
Source: American Nurses Enterprise News
CMS: Privacy Act of 1974; System of Records
Federal Register
Aug 20, 2026 - Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) establishing a new system of records titled "Nurses for Nursing Homes Program (NNHP)," which will cover records on individuals who apply for, participate in, or otherwise support the NNHP. CMS will use these records to support the administration of Nursing Home Staffing Campaign/Nursing Incentive Program (NHSC/NIP), a nursing workforce incentive program designed to strengthen the workforce serving Medicare and Medicaid-certified nursing homes with a focus on underserved and rural communities. This system of records is effective August 20, 2026. Comments are due September 21, 2026.
Source: Federal Register