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Rural Health Information Hub
Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
News by Topic: Healthcare facilities

Aug 27, 2026 - Highlights Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) funding in Ohio to connect pharmacies, Federally Qualified Health Centers, health systems, and other partners across the state through a health information exchange. The goal is to build a rural pharmacy network, expand clinical services in pharmacies, and conduct a pharmacy needs assessment across the state.
Source: Ohio Pharmacists Association
Aug 26, 2026 - Highlights the agenda for MedPAC meetings in 2026-2027. Topics to be discussed include Medicare Part D spending, the enrollment process, quality measurement and value-based payment programs, cost-sharing liability for Rural Health Clinics, the impact of converting as hospital to Rural Emergency Hospital (REH) status, reimbursement rates including for REHs, and Medicare Advantage (MA). Offers recommendations for engaging with the group and information on scheduled publications.
Source: MedPAC News
Aug 20, 2026 - Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) establishing a new system of records titled "Nurses for Nursing Homes Program (NNHP)," which will cover records on individuals who apply for, participate in, or otherwise support the NNHP. CMS will use these records to support the administration of Nursing Home Staffing Campaign/Nursing Incentive Program (NHSC/NIP), a nursing workforce incentive program designed to strengthen the workforce serving Medicare and Medicaid-certified nursing homes with a focus on underserved and rural communities. This system of records is effective August 20, 2026. Comments are due September 21, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Aug 20, 2026 - Summarizes discussions from a National Conference of State Legislatures convening regarding coordination between federal and state officials to address healthcare workforce shortages, rural healthcare access gaps, and maternal health needs. Discusses the Federally Qualified Health Center program and telehealth.
Source: National Conference of State Legislatures
Aug 20, 2026 - Highlights a philanthropic program in 9 states to ensure rural hospitals have access to generic drugs during drug shortages. Discusses how the pilot program will offer rural hospitals more consistency in drug availability, potential cost savings, and the goal to offer the program nationally.
Source: The Daily Yonder
Aug 13, 2026 - Announces $102 million in funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to expand the Health Center Program. Notes that this program provides comprehensive primary care to 1 in 5 rural residents.
Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
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 11, 2026 - Notice from the Health Resources and Services Administration providing the Health Center Program Scope of Project Policy Manual which offers guidance on the Health Center Program project under section 330 of the Public Health Service (PHS) Act. Also includes a link to comments on a previous draft of the manual.
Source: Federal Register
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 4, 2026 - The American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer has added a new accreditation category for rural hospitals with the goal of improving healthcare quality and outcomes for cancer patients. Notes that there are fewer accredited hospitals and less access to specialty care in rural areas.
Source: PR Newswire