Rural Health
News by Topic: Health workforce
Aug 3, 2026 - Pre-publication notice of a final rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) revising the hospital inpatient prospective payment system (IPPS) for operating and capital-related costs of acute care hospitals for fiscal year 2027. This rule also makes changes to Medicare graduate medical education (GME) for teaching hospitals; payment policies and the annual payment rates for the Medicare prospective payment system (PPS) for inpatient hospital services provided by long-term care hospitals; and requirements for certain quality programs, among other things. The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) also adopts certain health information technology (health IT) standards and specifications on behalf of HHS. These regulations are effective October 1, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Aug 1, 2026 - Rural emergency management service crews in Virginia have received training for delivering babies on roadsides. There have been recent increases in roadside deliveries following closure of rural labor and delivery departments in some hospitals.
Source: WSLS
Jul 31, 2026 - Describes a heart failure care program in rural West Virginia pharmacies. The program includes care coordination between local pharmacists and cardiovascular specialists to support consistent care and identify medication-related concerns early for rural patients.
Source: WVU Medicine
Jul 31, 2026 - Describes the workforce retention strategy at a Georgia-based rural health system. Discusses their career development services for existing employees, reskilling as workforce needs evolve, and using artificial intelligence to carry out the retention strategy.
Source: Health Leaders Media
Jul 30, 2026 - Highlights the shortage of rural radiology technicians in South Dakota and plans to address the shortage through new technical college programs.
Source: South Dakota Searchlight
Jul 29, 2026 - Describes obstetrical and gynecological workforce shortages in Wyoming. Discusses the impact of the shortages on provider burnout, availability of routine maternal healthcare, recruiting and retention in rural and other communities, and clinic finances. Discusses the focus on maternity care in Wyoming's Rural Health Transformation Program plan.
Source: WyoFile
Jul 28, 2026 - Announces new proposed legislation that would offer federal funding to incentivize interstate mental healthcare through telehealth with the goal of increasing access to care for rural communities.
Source: Office of Senator Angus King
Jul 28, 2026 - Describes the shortage of physicians in rural communities and highlights medical schools across the country focused on training the rural workforce. Discusses the Health Professions Opportunity Grant (HPOG), a federal career pathway program aiming to bring more people into healthcare careers. Highlights challenges with bringing more physicians to rural communities including physician preferences and hospital closures.
Source: The Daily Yonder
Jul 27, 2026 - Sanford Health and Marshfield Clinic Health System merged in 2025, creating a rural health organization that serves Wisconsin, South Dakota, North Dakota, Minnesota, Wyoming, Iowa, and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. This has improved recruiting and retention of staff and expanded access to care for underserved rural communities.
Source: American Medical Association
Jul 27, 2026 - Announces new proposed bipartisan legislation to protect rural hospitals from cyberattacks. The bill includes cybersecurity workforce development strategies, training for rural hospital staffs, and regular updates to Congress on implementation.
Source: Office of Representative Glenn Thompson