Rural Health
News by Topic: Health workforce education and training
Aug 12, 2026 - Offers recommendations and highlights rural assets for maternal healthcare, based on insights from leaders of 3 rural Iowa hospitals. Discusses upskilling and training the workforce, adapting guidelines, driving change, provider-patient relationships, and professional networking.
Source: Institute for Healthcare Improvement
Aug 6, 2026 - New medical residents are joining a rural Oregon practice as part of the Oregon Health & Science University graduate medical program. Discusses how the program can expand access to healthcare in central Oregon.
Source: KTVZ
Aug 5, 2026 - Describes the Rural Immersion Program, a program in Missouri offering healthcare students more information on the challenges associated with rural healthcare and wellness in Missouri.
Source: KTTN
Aug 4, 2026 - 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 3, 2026 - Announces bipartisan legislation supporting specialty medical education and training for rural primary care providers using technology and the Project ECHO model.
Source: Office of Senator Shelley Moore Capito
Aug 3, 2026 - Offers data showing use of Health Resource and Services Administration (HRSA)-funded health centers in 2025, noting that health centers saw the highest number of patients in the program's history. Rural areas saw the most growth. Also discusses funding for supporting food-based interventions, healthcare quality, and the role of health centers as training sites for the future health workforce.
Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
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 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 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 - 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