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Rural Health Information Hub
Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
News by Topic: Policy

Jan 21, 2026 - The Food and Drug Administration has issued an Emergency Use Authorization for certain medical devices related to the COVID-19 pandemic. These authorizations are effective on their date of issuance.
Source: Federal Register
Jan 21, 2026 - The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Assistant Secretary for Technology Policy (ASTP) announces the dates for public meetings of the Health Information Technology Advisory Committee (HITAC) to be held throughout the 2026 calendar year.
Source: Federal Register
Jan 20, 2026 - The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is allowing an additional 30 days for comments on a proposed information collection project titled "National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN)." This information collection is designed to provides facilities, states, regions, and the nation with data necessary to identify problem areas, measure the progress of prevention efforts, and ultimately eliminate healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) nationwide. Comments are due within 30 days of this notice.
Source: Federal Register
Jan 20, 2026 - The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is seeking comments on Round 8 of the "National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) Rapid Surveys System (RSS)." The RSS complements the current household survey systems at NCHS and uses survey data from probability-based online panels to produce time-sensitive estimates of new and emerging public health topics, attitudes, and behaviors. Comments are due within 30 days of this notice.
Source: Federal Register
Jan 20, 2026 - Highlights a state-funded program offering charter flights for rural Hawaiians with off-island medical appointments. Describes current and projected funding needs for sustainability, physician shortages in rural areas, reimbursement rate challenges driving workforce shortages, and the state's Rural Health Transformation Program plans.
Source: Honolulu Civil Beat
Jan 15, 2026 - Announces the updated 2026 Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) federal poverty guidelines for the 48 contiguous states, Alaska, and Hawaii, which took effect January 13, 2026. The HHS poverty guidelines are a simplified version of the poverty thresholds issued by the U.S. Census Bureau and are used to determine eligibility for several federal programs.
Source: Federal Register
Jan 13, 2026 - Discusses the work of independent pharmacies in rural communities and the challenges that come when one closes. Highlights reasons for closures including workforce recruitment challenges and low reimbursement rates. Discusses recent Colorado legislation that aimed to ease burdens on rural pharmacies in the state.
Source: University of Colorado Anschutz Health Science News and Features
Jan 12, 2026 - Notice from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) implementing section 120 of the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act, which allows the VA to increase the expenditure cap for non-institutional care alternatives for eligible veterans. VA will now pay up to 100% of the nursing home rate in a fiscal year for all eligible veterans who need non-institutional care to improve continuity of care and patient outcomes. This guidance is effective September 11, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Jan 9, 2026 - The Government Accountability Office (GAO) is accepting nominations for appointment to the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) by February 6, 2026. Appointments are effective May 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Jan 8, 2026 - Notice from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) seeking comments on an information collection request titled "Bureau of Health Workforce Performance Data Collection, OMB No. 0906-0086-Revision." Information collected is used to analyze and report on Bureau of Health Workforce grantee training activities and education, identify details about the practice locations where trainees work after program completion, and report outcomes of funded initiatives. Data collected from these grant programs will inform policymakers on the barriers, opportunities, and outcomes involved in healthcare workforce development. Comments are due by March 9, 2026.
Source: Federal Register