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Rural Health Information Hub
Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
News by Topic: Networking and collaboration

Apr 20, 2026 - A private insurance company has announced a pilot program that exempts many rural providers from most prior authorization requirements, increases payment speeds, and introduces a hub-and-spoke model of care to connect rural communities with regional expertise. The program, initially available in 4 states, is expanding to an additional 5 states now.
Source: UnitedHealth Group Newsroom
Apr 9, 2026 - Notice from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) announcing a one-year funding extension for recipients of grants through the fiscal year 2022 Small Health Care Provider Quality Improvement Program and the fiscal year 2023 Delta States Network Development Program. Funding for both cohorts is extended from August 1, 2026, through July 31, 2027.
Source: Federal Register
Apr 3, 2026 - Announces a new partnership between the Atlanta VA Healthcare System (VAHCS) and the Morehouse School of Medicine's Graduate Education in Nursing (GENIE) program. The partnership will enhance nursing education for veterans with a focus on female veterans and improving access to rural and other underserved communities in Georgia.
Source: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Mar 19, 2026 - Describes a public safety career program in a Florida high school introducing students to jobs that address the county's fire rescue, dispatch, and law enforcement workforce shortages. Notes the importance of relationship building in rural communities to identify and address community needs.
Source: National Association of Counties County News
Mar 18, 2026 - Offers lessons for implementing large-scale state-based programs like the Rural Health Transformation Program based on a California program investing in primary care for small independent practices, tribal practices, and community health centers. Discusses technical assistance, timing of payments, tracking success, and collaboration to overcome measurement barriers.
Source: Health Affairs Forefront
Mar 10, 2026 - Highlights a pilot program in a rural Missouri community offering a coordinated response to health and social needs for Medicaid patients. The program allows hospitals and other organizations to refer patients to service providers and track whether their needs are getting addressed. Describes how the program was started, the federal waiver that allows the program to run, and the technology used for it. Discusses sustainability challenges common for rural service providers.
Source: The Beacon: Missouri
Mar 9, 2026 - Summarizes comments from a HIMSS26 Healthcare Cybersecurity Forum discussing cybersecurity for rural hospitals. Covers topics including regional collaboration, communicating with facility administration, and cybersecurity workforce.
Source: Healthcare IT News
Mar 9, 2026 - Highlights the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Cardiology Access and Resources for Delivery of Integrated Outreach to VETerans Network (CARDIO-VET), a hub-and-spoke model of cardiology care. Describes how the program helped a rural veteran in coordination with the VA Office of Rural Health.
Source: VA Wichita Health Care Stories
Mar 6, 2026 - Highlights the StrongHearts Native Helpline, a helpline addressing domestic and sexual violence in Native American communities. Notes the program recently received new federal funding to continue connecting survivors with service providers. The program will also strengthen work for Alaska Native communities, enhance existing partnerships, and improve its website.
Source: Native News Online
Mar 2, 2026 - Describes progress made and upcoming plans for a grant aiming to train community health workers in Texas to deliver the 4Ms of Age-Friendly Care. This work is part of the National Rural Age-Friendly Initiative, an initiative developed through a partnership between the National Rural Health Association and The John A. Hartford Foundation.
Source: National Rural Health Association