Rural Health
News by Topic: Legislation and regulations
Jun 26, 2026 - Notice of proposed rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) making changes related to End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) Prospective Payment System (PPS) for calendar year 2027 and proposing updates to the payment rate for renal dialysis services furnished by an ESRD facility to individuals with acute kidney injury (AKI). Among other things, this rule also proposes updated requirements for the ESRD Quality Incentive Program and includes requests for information (RFI) to inform future policies related to increasing home dialysis uptake, improving palliative dialysis, and supporting alternative dialysis schedules. Comments are due by August 24, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
FNA: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program: Changes in Federal-State Administrative Cost Sharing
Federal Register
Jun 24, 2026 - Notice of proposed rule from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Administration (FNA) that would amend the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) regulations to codify the reduction of the amount of the Federal government's share of annual SNAP state administrative costs from 50 percent to 25 percent beginning in fiscal year 2027. Comments are due by August 24, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Jun 24, 2026 - Announces proposed bipartisan legislation to provide funding covering emergency room operating expenses for rural hospitals. Highlights how hospital closures have affected rural Missouri communities.
Source: Office of Senator Josh Hawley
Jun 24, 2026 - Notice from the Office of Inspector General
(OIG) in the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
seeking comments on whether any additions or modifications
are needed to the safe harbor regulations under the Federal
anti-kickback statute or the exceptions to the civil
monetary penalty provision prohibiting inducements to
beneficiaries for remuneration provided to individuals in
connection with their participation in clinical trials.
Comments are due by August 24, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
CMS: Request for Information (RFI): Pharmacy Benefit Manager Compensation and Data Collection
Federal Register
Jun 18, 2026 - The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is seeking comments on a request for information (RFI) regarding technical input on the services and business practices of pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) and their affiliates to inform implementation of recent legislation. The RFI specifically focuses on two specific legislative requirements that are effective beginning calendar year 2028: 1) restrictions on the remuneration that PBMs and their affiliates may receive for services in connection with the utilization of covered Part D drugs and 2) data reporting requirements. Comments are due by July 20, 2026.
Source: Federal Register