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Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
News by Topic: Legislation and regulations

Sep 14, 2026 - Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) seeking comments on the following information collections: 1) Provider Experience of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Quality Innovation Network-Quality Improvement Organization (QIN-QIO) Program; 2) Use Agreement (DUA) Limited Data Set (LDS) Forms Research Identifiable Files (RIF) Forms; and 3) Methods for Assuring Access to Covered Medicaid Services Under 42 CFR 447.203 and 447.204. Comments are due by November 13, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Sep 11, 2026 - Notice of proposed rulemaking from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) proposing to remove the availability of the up to 60-day discretionary grace period upon cessation of employment for individuals in certain nonimmigrant classifications. Comments are due by November 10, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Sep 11, 2026 - Notice of proposed rulemaking from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) proposing regulations regarding qualified opportunity zones and opportunity funds. Among other things, the proposed regulations would implement new statutory requirements for qualified opportunity funds to file information returns with the IRS and for qualified opportunity zone businesses to furnish statements to qualified opportunity funds that hold interests in them, would clarify the qualified opportunity fund self-certification rules and provide procedures for qualified opportunity funds to revoke inadvertent certifications or voluntarily decertify. Comments are due by October 16, 2026. The IRS will also hold a public hearing on the proposed regulations on November 5, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. Eastern. Requests to attend the hearing are due by November 3, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Sep 10, 2026 - The U.S. Census Bureau is seeking comments on a proposed rule that would add two new regulations regarding the decennial census. The proposed additions would outline the residence criteria used for identifying each person's "usual residence" and establish standards and restrictions for the inclusion of certain demographic questions on the decennial census short-form questionnaire and any other questionnaire used for the enumeration of the population. Comments are due by October 13, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Sep 10, 2026 - Notice from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) making corrections to the August 25, 2026, proposed rule titled "Fee for Certain H-1B Petitions."
Source: Federal Register
Sep 4, 2026 - Describes the loss of childcare slots across North Carolina and the financial and regulatory challenges with offering childcare services. Highlights 2 rural childcare pilot programs that will inform future policy to address identified challenges.
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
Aug 31, 2026 - Notice of proposed rule from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) seeking comments on possible Rural Health Care (RHC) Program improvements related to Telecommunications (Telecom) Program support calculations, RHC Program supported services, and RHC Program processes. Specifically, the FCC is interested in comments on the scope of the similar service and rural area comparability requirements, existing cost study method of determining rural telecommunications rates, a proposal to establish an eligible services list for the Rural Health Care (RHC) Program, and more. Comments are due by September 30, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Aug 28, 2026 - Notice from the Office of Personnel Management; Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Department of the Treasury; Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA), Department of Labor (DOL); and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) correcting typographical errors and omissions in the June 4, 2026, final rule. The corrections are applicable on August 3, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Aug 25, 2026 - Notice of proposed rulemaking from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) proposing to establish a $103,265 fee, payable at the time of filing, for all H-1B cap-subject petitions, including those eligible for the advanced degree exemption. The proposed fee would be in addition to all other applicable fees or payments. This fee would serve as a dedicated revenue mechanism to help recover a portion of the federal government's costs of administering the lawful immigration system. Comments are due by September 24, 2026.
Source: Federal Register