Rural Health
News by Topic: Health workforce supply and demand
Sep 25, 2025 - Highlights the challenges for rural hospital service delivery as seen in one hospital in rural Iowa. Discusses staffing shortages and high operating costs as well as potential solutions such as telehealth, partnering with larger hospitals, and increasing residency spots.
Source: CBS 2 Iowa
Sep 22, 2025 - The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has mobilized over 70 Public Health Service Officers to Indian Health Service (IHS) facilities across the country in a move to address staffing shortages.
Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Sep 19, 2025 - Describes the shortage of nurses in North Carolina, particularly among licensed practical nurses (LPNs). Discusses factors driving shortages, a history of the shortage, and areas where progress has been made, particularly in training new LPNs. Looks at workforce projections for the coming decades. Discusses the impact on rural throughout.
Source: North Carolina Health News
Sep 18, 2025 - Highlights new ambulatory care pharmacy residency positions in South Carolina. The goal of the program is to focus on outpatient clinic work and community-based care with the aim of increasing the rural workforce.
Source: University of South Carolina College of Pharmacy
Sep 17, 2025 - Highlights a collaborative between Arkansas organizations working to improve rural healthcare outcomes, discussing its growth since its founding. The group recently launched the Arkansas Rural Health Academy to provide additional training to healthcare students across the state as a way to address workforce gaps.
Source: Talk Business & Politics
Sep 17, 2025 - Highlights proposed legislation that aims to improve access to healthcare for veterans by allowing rural Veterans Administration (VA) clinics to contract with outside healthcare providers. The bill is in response to staffing issues in VA facilities.
Source: KOLD
Sep 12, 2025 - Highlights 2 doctors in New Mexico who are leaving their small community as part of a larger national trend of declining access to physicians in rural areas. Discusses common challenges including reimbursement and other financial concerns. Notes policy measures proposed by governors in New Mexico and other western states to address healthcare workforce shortages.
Source: KUNC
Sep 11, 2025 - Discusses a recent report on the mental healthcare worker shortage in New Mexico. Highlights programs at New Mexico State University working to fill workforce gaps with focus on training students to meet the needs of rural residents. Notes potential policy changes related to integrated care and certifications.
Source: Source NM
Sep 3, 2025 - Highlights a new graduate program at Oregon Health and Science University to increase the family medical care workforce in rural Oregon. The program trains residents in rural communities with the goal of retaining them.
Source: Central Oregon Daily News
Sep 2, 2025 - Highlights an initiative in South Dakota for virtual nursing services. The program increases access to healthcare services in rural communities and addresses shortages in the registered nurse workforce. Discusses patient satisfaction and rural facility budgets.
Source: Rural Development, U.S. Department of Agriculture