Rural Health
News by Topic: Healthcare needs and services
Nov 2, 2026 - Discusses quality rural stroke care and how one hospital system has worked to address rural-specific challenges. Discusses telemedicine, efficient workflows, data gathering, and having teams both inside the hospital and outside it involved.
Source: American Medical Association
CMS: Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request
Federal Register
Nov 2, 2026 - Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) seeking comments on the reinstatement of an information collection titled "Inpatient Psychiatric Unit Criteria Work Sheet." Information collected is used by inpatient psychiatric units (IPUs) to prove that they meet the requirements to be exempt from receiving payment from Medicare under the lower paying hospital inpatient prospective payment system (IPPS). Comments are due by January 4, 2027.
Source: Federal Register
CMS: Emergency Clearance: Public Information Collection Requirements Submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB)
Federal Register
Nov 2, 2026 - The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is seeking comments on revisions to an information collection titled "Pre-Claim Review Demonstration For Home Health Services." The approval of this data collection process is essential to ensure that the Review Choice Demonstration for Home Health Services is expanded to California within the specified timeframe. Comments are due by November 16, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 2, 2026 - Announces the distribution of Rural Health Transformation Program funding in Ohio. Funded projects focus on increased access to care for children through school-based health centers as well as vision and oral health programs in schools.
Source: Office of Governor Mike DeWine
CDC: Solicitation of Nominations for Appointment to the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices
Federal Register
Oct 30, 2026 - The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is seeking nominations for membership on the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). ACIP advises the CDC director regarding the use of vaccines and related immunobiologic agents for the prevention and control of vaccine-preventable diseases in the United States. Nominees will be selected to represent a balanced range of scientific, clinical, and public health expertise, including individuals knowledgeable about consumer perspectives and/or social and community aspects of immunization programs. Nominations are due by December 31, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Oct 30, 2026 - Notice of final rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) making changes related to the End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) Prospective Payment System (PPS) for calendar year 2027 and updating the payment rate for renal dialysis services furnished by an ESRD facility to individuals with acute kidney injury (AKI). This rule also updates the requirements for the ESRD Quality Incentive Program. These regulations are effective January 1, 2027.
Source: Federal Register
Oct 29, 2026 - The Mountain Plains Rural Opioid Technical Assistance Center (MP ROTAC) is seeking feedback on the training, technical assistance, and support needs related to opioid, stimulant, and other substance use challenges impacting communities throughout the Mountain Plains region. Eligible stakeholders can submit feedback through November 15th, 2026.
Oct 28, 2026 - Describes the higher risk of stroke among farmers and the challenges they experience in accessing emergency medical care. Highlights an American Heart Association program that helps hospitals identify opportunities to improve care for heart disease, heart attack, and stroke.
Source: Farm Press
Oct 28, 2026 - Highlights efforts to expand access to obstetric and gynecological care for rural Kentucky women, particularly for ovarian cancer screening and care as well as prenatal care and complications. Discusses the importance of partnerships between local providers and specialists.
Source: UK Now
Oct 27, 2026 - Announces a new 3-year partnership between the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) and the Indian Health Service (IHS) to improve identification and management of sepsis in IHS emergency care facilities. Notes that many IHS facilities are in rural areas where specialty care is often limited, making early identification important. The partnership will include culturally relevant toolkits and resources as well as evaluation of their effectiveness.
Source: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality