Rural Health
News by Topic: Health workforce education and training
Nov 25, 2025 - Notice of final rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) making changes to the Medicare Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS) and the Medicare Ambulatory Surgical Center (ASC) payment system for calendar year 2026, including changes to the amounts and factors used to determine the payment rates for Medicare services paid under the OPPS and those paid under the ASC payment systems. Among other things, this rule also updates the requirements for the Hospital Outpatient Quality Reporting Program, Rural Emergency Hospital Quality Reporting Program, Ambulatory Surgical Center Quality Reporting Program, Overall Hospital Quality Star Rating, and hospitals to make public their standard charge information and enforcement of hospital price transparency. This rule also announces the closure of a teaching hospital and the opportunity to apply for available slots. This rule is effective January 1, 2026. Applications for available resident spots are due by February 19, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 25, 2025 - Profiles a rural general surgeon practicing in rural Kansas. Describes her path to rural practice beginning with an undergraduate rural pipeline program.
Source: KU School of Medicine Wichita
Nov 24, 2025 - Describes partnerships between the University of Rochester and rural New York schools. Highlights a program to increase the school-based mental healthcare workforce through a graduate student internship, rural-focused professional development, and high school curriculum aiming to introduce students to mental healthcare professions. Also describes other education and professional development collaborations with the University.
Source: University of Rochester News Center