Rural Health
News by Topic: Healthcare needs and services
DEA, HHS: Fourth Temporary Extension of COVID-19 Telemedicine Flexibilities for Prescription of Controlled Medications
Federal Register
Dec 31, 2025 - The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is issuing a temporary rule to extend certain exceptions to existing DEA regulations implemented in March 2020 because of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (COVID-19 PHE). The full set of telemedicine flexibilities regarding the prescription of controlled medications that were in place during the COVID-19 PHE as outlined in the Third Temporary Rule will remain in place through December 31, 2026. This rule is effective January 1, 2026, through December 31, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Dec 30, 2025 - A Virginia law that went info effect Nov. 19, 2025 allows certified nurse midwives to perform newborn care on their own in hospitals, though this is not a requirement. Supporters say this change might help keep labor and delivery units open in rural areas.
Source: Cardinal News
Dec 29, 2025 - Reports on the stress placed on emergency medical services (EMS) due to labor and delivery unit shortages in Arkansas. Discusses the impact on recruiting and retaining EMS workforce, limited labor and delivery training, and long travel times for adequate care.
Source: Arkansas Advocate
Dec 26, 2025 - Discusses the importance of an established relationship with a primary care provider, particularly for rural residents where specialty care access is limited. Discusses the preventive role of primary care and the associated improved health outcomes.
Source: WXOW
Dec 26, 2025 - Highlights proposed legislation in Ohio that would allow pharmacists to prescribe and dispense certain medications. Notes the potential impact on rural residents with more barriers in accessing healthcare.
Source: The Center Square
Dec 26, 2025 - Describes the patient increase hospitals see around December holidays and how rural hospitals respond. Discusses staffing challenges and limited access to specialty care.
Source: KFYR
Dec 23, 2025 - Describes a Wisconsin program that supports self-directed home care services that allows older adults to age in place. The program includes a Care Integration Senior Aide (CISA) which works to support clients with daily activities and monitor various social determinants of health that put clients at risk of poor health outcomes. Notes that rural residents may be in need of extra support. Discusses the role of philanthropy in developing and expanding the program.
Source: Margaret A. Cargill Philanthropies
Dec 23, 2025 - Profiles the Chair of Surgery at the University of South Dakota's Sanford School of Medicine. Describes his early education and work history as well as the need for and creation of a rural general surgery program.
Source: American College of Surgeons
CMS: Global Benchmark for Efficient Drug Pricing (GLOBE) Model
Federal Register
Dec 23, 2025 - Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) seeking comments on a proposed rule implementing the Global Benchmark for Efficient Drug Pricing Model ("GLOBE Model"), a new Medicare payment model under section 1115A of the Social Security Act. The GLOBE Model would test whether a payment model that uses an alternative method for calculating Part B inflation rebate amounts for certain separately payable Part B drugs and biological products reduces costs for Medicare fee-for service (FFS) beneficiaries and the Medicare program while preserving quality of care. Comments are due by February 23, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
CMS: Guarding U.S. Medicare Against Rising Drug Costs (GUARD) Model
Federal Register
Dec 23, 2025 - Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) seeking comments on a proposed rule implementing the Guarding U.S. Medicare Against Rising Drug Costs (GUARD) Model to test a new Medicare payment model under section 1115A of the Social Security Act. The model proposes a test of an alternative payment method for calculating inflation rebates for certain Part D drugs and biological products. The proposed GUARD Model would test whether changing the calculation of the Part D inflation rebate would reduce costs for the Medicare program while preserving or enhancing quality of care for Part D enrollees. Comments are due by February 23, 2026.
Source: Federal Register