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Rural Health Information Hub
Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
News by Topic: Healthcare needs and services

Feb 2, 2026 - Discusses overdose death disparities in rural Georgia and new funding for 18 communities to support community-based responses. Notes rural-specific challenges in addressing the opioid crisis.
Source: The Georgia Virtue
Jan 29, 2026 - Notice from the Department of Defense (DOD) Director of the Defense Health Agency (DHA) announcing adjustments to the certified labor doulas (CLDs) performing childbirth support services under the Childbirth and Breastfeeding Support Demonstration (CBSD). This notice announces changes to the reimbursement methodology for childbirth support services intended to stabilize reimbursement. DHA is modifying reimbursement for childbirth support services so that the rate approved for March 1, 2025, will be considered a "baseline." The DHA Director will approve a new baseline if it is found that TRICARE reimbursement is not keeping pace with Medicaid reimbursement. The new reimbursement methodology will be effective for rates beginning March 1, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Jan 29, 2026 - Notice from the Office of Inspector General (OIG) in the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) seeking comments on whether any additions or modifications are needed to the safe harbor regulations under the Federal anti-kickback statute or the exceptions to the civil monetary penalty provision prohibiting inducements to beneficiaries for emerging direct-to-consumer sales programs established by pharmaceutical manufacturers. Comments are due by March 30, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Jan 29, 2026 - Describes an increase in mental health needs in rural Kerr County, Texas following devastating floods in July 2025. Discusses the long-term impact of trauma, limited mental healthcare options in the area, and planned philanthropic funding to address the community's mental health needs.
Source: The Texas Tribune
Jan 27, 2026 - Notice from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) rescinding the September 29, 2023, titled "Guidance to Nation's Retail Pharmacies: Obligations under Federal Civil Rights Laws to Ensure Nondiscriminatory Access to Health Care at Pharmacies."
Source: Federal Register
Jan 26, 2026 - Notice from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) rescinding the September 17, 2021, HHS Office for Civil Rights (OCR) notice titled "Guidance on Nondiscrimination Protections under the Church Amendments."
Source: Federal Register
Jan 26, 2026 - Describes a planned study investigating sources of stress for female farmers in Arizona and resources to support mental health. Discusses the community-based participatory research strategy for the study.
Source: The NAU Review
Jan 23, 2026 - The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is seeking comments on the extension of an information collection titled "Emergency Ambulance Transports and Beneficiary Signature." The information collected is used to ensure that emergency and nonemergency ambulance transport services were in fact rendered and were rendered as billed. Comments are due by March 24, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Jan 21, 2026 - The Food and Drug Administration has issued an Emergency Use Authorization for certain medical devices related to the COVID-19 pandemic. These authorizations are effective on their date of issuance.
Source: Federal Register
Jan 20, 2026 - The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is seeking comments on Round 8 of the "National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) Rapid Surveys System (RSS)." The RSS complements the current household survey systems at NCHS and uses survey data from probability-based online panels to produce time-sensitive estimates of new and emerging public health topics, attitudes, and behaviors. Comments are due within 30 days of this notice.
Source: Federal Register