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Rural Health Information Hub
Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
News by Topic: Healthcare facilities

Jun 26, 2026 - The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is seeking comments to inform the development, implementation, and oversight of an independent accreditation system for Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic Expansion (CCBHC-E) grant recipients. Specifically, SAMHSA seeks comments on the standards, processes, oversight mechanisms, timing, and supports needed to implement this accreditation system effectively. Comments are due by July 27, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Jun 24, 2026 - Announces proposed bipartisan legislation to provide funding covering emergency room operating expenses for rural hospitals. Highlights how hospital closures have affected rural Missouri communities.
Source: Office of Senator Josh Hawley
Jun 22, 2026 - Highlights new data showing increasing drive times to labor and delivery services for rural Arkansans. Discusses labor and delivery department closures in the state and how the population distribution makes offering the service challenging.
Source: Arkansas Advocate
Jun 22, 2026 - Notice from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) correcting the total number of responses listed in the June 15, 2026, notice.
Source: Federal Register
Jun 18, 2026 - Describes artificial intelligence (AI) use in rural hospitals, noting that recent research found AI is used less compared to urban hospitals. Highlights the implementation of AI in a rural Oklahoma hospital.
Source: Oklahoma Farm Report
Jun 18, 2026 - Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) seeking comments on revisions to an information collection titled "Submission of 1135 Waiver Request Automated Process." CMS aims to better support emergency response by capturing the emergency date, simplifying ongoing status updates for stakeholders, and providing a more comprehensive view of cybersecurity incidents through expanded reporting on patient and operational impacts. The Acute Hospital Care at Home (AHCAH) initiative was codified in the Consolidate Appropriations Act, 2025, and is no longer part of the 1135 waiver information collection request. Comments are due by July 20, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Jun 18, 2026 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Rural Business-Cooperative Service invites applications for the Intermediary Relending Program (IRP) for fiscal year 2026. IRP provides direct loans to intermediaries for the establishment of revolving loan programs that are then used to provide loans to ultimate recipients for business facilities and community developments in rural areas. Applications are accepted on a continuous basis and compete for available funds on a quarterly basis. Future notices of funding availability for this program will be published on the program website, without notice in the Federal Register.
Source: Federal Register
Related funding: Intermediary Relending Program (IRP)
Jun 18, 2026 - 7 independent hospitals in Kansas have formed a clinically integrated network (CIN). Describes how the CIN is organized and will function. Also discusses a recent trend in forming CINs and the inclusion of CINs in Rural Health Transformation Program funding.
Source: Fierce Healthcare
Jun 16, 2026 - The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is seeking comments on the following information collections: 1) Conditions of Coverage for Portable X-ray Suppliers and Supporting Regulations; and 2) Requirements Related to Surprise Billing; Part II. Comments are due by July 16, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Jun 16, 2026 - Notice of final rule with comment period from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) establishing provisions to strengthen the oversight of Medicare national accrediting organizations by addressing conflicts of interest; establishing consistent standards, processes, and definitions; and updating the validation and performance standards systems. In addition, this rule revises the psychiatric hospital survey process, adds a limitation on terminated deemed providers and suppliers when reentering the program, and provides technical corrections for End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) facilities and Transplant Programs. This rule is effective June 16, 2027. Comments are due by August 17, 2026.
Source: Federal Register