Rural Health
News by Topic: Healthcare needs and services
Sep 10, 2025 - Summarizes recent research findings that rural residents are more likely to experience poor outcomes compared to urban residents following surgery for colon cancer. Greater access to minimally invasive surgery (MIS) for rural patients is identified as a solution for improving surgery outcomes. Discusses challenges with expanding access to MIS.
Source: Bioengineer.org
Sep 10, 2025 - Discusses stresses experienced by farmers, limited access to mental health services for those in rural areas, and the higher than average rates of suicide in the farming community. Offers mental health resources, services, and information for farmers in Michigan.
Source: Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development
Sep 10, 2025 - Highlights suicide statistics for American Indian and Alaska Natives (AI/AN). Offers federal and other resources for people interested in AI/AN-focused suicide prevention.
Source: Native News Online
Sep 9, 2025 - Video highlighting a program offering free access to licensed mental healthcare for students and their parents in a rural Georgia community. Describes common barriers to mental healthcare for rural residents.
Source: WALB News 10
Sep 9, 2025 - Highlights the work of the North Carolina Psychiatry Access Line (NC-PAL), a free phone line allowing medical providers to consult with behavioral health specialists about their patients. Discusses ways in which they are reaching rural communities to increase access to mental health services.
Source: North Carolina Health News
CMS: Medicare Program; FY 2026 Hospice Wage Index and Payment Rate Update and Hospice Quality Reporting Program Requirements; Correction
Federal Register
Sep 4, 2025 - Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) making typographical corrections to the August 5, 2025, final rule. This correction is effective October 1, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Sep 4, 2025 - Highlights a pilot program in Virginia to authorize Special Conservators of the Peace to respond to mental health issues. Discusses the trend away from using law enforcement as first responders for these calls, noting that departments in rural communities often do not have the resources to respond to these calls.
Source: Virginia Mercury
Sep 3, 2025 - Highlights a new graduate program at Oregon Health and Science University to increase the family medical care workforce in rural Oregon. The program trains residents in rural communities with the goal of retaining them.
Source: Central Oregon Daily News
Sep 2, 2025 - Announces changes to the Achieving Healthcare Efficiency through Accountable Design (AHEAD) Model beginning in January 2026 including the end date for all cohorts, payment reforms for patients with Original Medicare, and new requirements around total cost of care and primary care investment targets.
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
CMS: Agency Information Collection Activities: Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request
Federal Register
Sep 2, 2025 - The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is seeking comments on the following information collections: 1) Medicare Severity Diagnosis Related Groups Reclassification Request (MS-DRGs); 2) Medicare Fee-for-Service Prepayment Review of Medical Records; 3) Medicare Program; Prior Authorization Process for Certain Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetic, Orthotics, and Supplies (DMEPOS); 4) Healthcare Fraud Prevention Partnership (HFPP) Data Sharing and Information Exchange; 5) Minimum Essential Coverage; and 6) Hospice Request for Certification in the Medicare Program. Comments are due by October 2, 2025.
Source: Federal Register