Rural Health
News by Topic: Healthcare needs and services
Sep 2, 2026 - The University of Alabama at Birmingham Marnix E. Heersink School of Medicine has received $10 million to be used toward a program training primary care physicians in rural communities. 42% of Alabama's population lives in rural areas, and 16.4% of those are uninsured.
Source: The Daily Yonder
CMS: Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request
Federal Register
Sep 1, 2026 - Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
(CMS) seeking comments on the following information
collections: 1) Survey of Retail Prices; 2) Basic Health
Program (BHP) Supporting Regulations; and 3) Solicitation
for Applications for Medicare Prescription Drug Plan 2028
Contracts. Comments are due by November 2, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Sep 1, 2026 - Hawaii has received $58 million in federal funding through the Rural Health Transformation Program to improve access to healthcare and strengthen services in rural and underserved communities. This includes $45 million for the University of Hawaii School of Medicine to administer workforce development programs and $13 million for the Hawaii Department of Health to acquire new ambulances and upgrade emergency communications systems.
Source: Kaua'i Now
Aug 31, 2026 - The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid have recalculated the fiscal year 2027 hospice wage index values for all CBSAs and rural areas. A correction notice with updated rates will be posted on the FY 2027 Hospice Wage Index and Payment Rate Update and Hospice Quality Reporting Program Requirements webpage.
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Aug 31, 2026 - Highlights a new Saturday clinic for veterans in rural West
Texas in need of audiology care. Discusses healthcare
access challenges for veterans in this region and how the
expanded hours help ensure veterans are able to receive the
consistent care they need.
Source: VA West Texas Health Care Stories
Aug 30, 2026 - Discusses a new survey showing a continued decline in primary care providers in Vermont. Describes how Vermont's shortage compares with national trends, challenges with primary care distribution in a small population state, a rise in specialization, and physician demographic trends.
Source: VT Digger
Aug 28, 2026 - The University of Northern Colorado's College of Osteopathic Medicine opened in July with its first class of 81 students. The new school will help address the physician shortage in Colorado, where 54 of its 64 counties have Primary Care Health Professional Shortage Areas, and 31.2% of physicians are of retirement age.
Source: Colorado Politics
Aug 28, 2026 - Announces a new suicide prevention campaign in Oklahoma designed to reach certain groups with high rates of suicide including rural residents, tribal residents, older adults, veterans, and middle-aged men.
Source: Fox 23
Aug 28, 2026 - Various Virginia community-based organizations are among the first wave of grantees who will use Rural Health Transformation Fund (RHTF) money to hire and retain rural healthcare providers, invest in healthcare technologies, and strengthen the healthcare workforce in rural areas. Virginia received a total $189 million in RHTF money late last year.
Source: Virginia Mercury
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