Rural Health
News by Topic: Healthcare needs and services
CMS: Request for Information; Medicare Part D Reasonable and Relevant Pharmacy Contracting Standards
Federal Register
Sep 24, 2026 - Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) seeking public input regarding the establishment of standards for reasonable and relevant pharmacy contract terms and conditions under the Medicare prescription drug benefit as outlined by Section 6223(a) of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026 (P.L. 119-75). Specifically, CMS seeks comments on pharmacy reimbursement and dispensing fees, current contract practices, trends in contract terms and conditions, and pharmacy quality and performance measures, among other things. Comments are due by November 23, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Sep 24, 2026 - Discusses the farming-specific drivers of high suicide rates and highlights tools and resources to address the risks.
Source: Trust Magazine
Sep 23, 2026 - Discusses family medicine in rural communities following the announcement of new federally funded family medicine residency programs. Notes that clinicians from or trained in rural areas are more likely to practice there, addressing workforce needs in rural communities. Describes how residencies have been used in various states, the use of Rural Health Transformation Program funds, and tribal community residencies.
Source: Wyoming Public Radio
Sep 22, 2026 - Announces a free Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) supported conference for 988 and behavioral health crisis system state, territory, and tribal grantees, federal partners, subject-matter experts, providers, and other key partners to discuss strengthening crisis services and systems, as well as network with colleagues. The conference is December 15-17, 2026 in Washington, D.C. Rural response in crisis care is a topic of interest.
Source: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
Sep 22, 2026 - Describes the benefits of a telestroke program including the improved outcomes as well as time and money saved for rural residents in need of emergency and follow-up care.
Source: Sanford Health
Sep 21, 2026 - Describes the importance of childcare access in responding to and recovering from disasters in rural communities, as seen in North Carolina following Hurricane Helene. Discusses the needs of childcare providers to reopen, including their own health and safety concerns and funding.
Source: The Daily Yonder
HHS: Solicitation of Nominations for Membership on the National Vaccine Advisory Committee
Federal Register
Sep 21, 2026 - Notice from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) extending the solicitation period for nominations for the National Vaccine Advisory Committee. Nominations are due 30 days from publication of this notice.
Source: Federal Register
Sep 21, 2026 - Describes disparities in buprenorphine treatment availability in rural areas despite new data showing a national increase in the medication in pharmacies and emergency departments. Discusses challenges that continue to exist in rural Pennsylvania and highlights telehealth as a tool that could support improved access to the medication.
Source: WHYY
Sep 21, 2026 - More neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) have opened across Oklahoma, increasing access for rural families across the state.
Source: News 9
Sep 17, 2026 - Discusses recent research highlighting labor and delivery service access issues and describes challenges for rural Missouri. Discusses long travel times to care, why offering labor and delivery care is challenging for rural facilities, and how Rural Health Transformation Program funding is supporting doula and other services aiming to fill gaps.
Source: KCUR, NPR