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Rural Health Information Hub
Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
News by Topic: Policy

Mar 23, 2026 - The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announces the charter renewal of the National Committee on Vital Health and Statistics (NCVHS). The charter renewal is effective for a two-year period, through January 22, 2028.
Source: Federal Register
Mar 23, 2026 - Pre-publication notice of final rule from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) adopting standards for healthcare claims attachments transactions and a standard for electronic signatures to be used in conjunction with these transactions. This rule also summarizes and responds to comments received on the December 21, 2022, proposed rule. This final rule is effective 60 days after the publication of this notice, which is scheduled for March 24, 2026. Compliance with these regulations are required by May 26, 2028.
Source: Federal Register
Mar 19, 2026 - Summarizes conversations at the Rural Health Transformation Summit on March 18, 2026, a meeting of state officials, experts, and federal administrators to discuss implementation of the Rural Health Transformation Plan. Discusses state program alignment with RHTP's 5 strategic goals: Make Rural America Healthy Again, sustainable access, workforce development, innovative care, and tech innovation. Notes the role of the Office of Rural Health Transformation (ORHT) within the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid (CMS).
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Mar 18, 2026 - The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is seeking comments on the following information collections: 1) Application To Be a Qualified Entity To Receive Medicare Data for Performance Measurement/Reapplication/Annual Report Worksheet; and 2) Good Cause Processes. Comments are due by May 18, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Mar 18, 2026 - Describes proposed legislation aiming to increase access to healthcare for veterans in rural areas. A 5-year pilot program would create a preauthorization pathway for outpatient services for veterans within 35 miles of a Critical Access Hospital.
Source: Office of Senator Kevin Cramer
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 17, 2026 - The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is seeking nominations for the CDC/HRSA Advisory Committee on Breast Cancer in Young Women (ACBCYW). Nominees will be selected based on expertise in the fields of breast health, breast cancer, disease prevention and risk reduction, survivorship, hereditary breast and ovarian cancer, or in related disciplines with a specific focus on young women, or with personal experience with early onset breast cancer. Nominations are due by April 20, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Mar 17, 2026 - The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is seeking comments on the extension of an information collection titled "Medicaid Program Face-to-Face Requirements for Home Health Services and Supporting Regulations." Physicians must document that there was a face-to-face encounter with the Medicaid beneficiary prior to the physician certifying that home health services are required. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act permits nurse practitioners (NPs), clinical nurse specialists (CNSs), and physician assistants (PAs) to certify the need for home health services and to order services in the Medicare and Medicaid programs. Comments are due by April 16, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Mar 16, 2026 - Notice from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) seeking comments on proposed revisions to an information collection request titled "Bureau of Health Workforce Health Workforce Connector OMB No. 0906-0031-Revision." The Health Workforce Connector (HWC) provides a central platform to connect participants, including but not limited to those in the National Health Service Corps (NHSC), Nurse Corps Scholarship and Loan Repayment Programs (Nurse Corps), Substance Use Disorder Treatment and Recovery (STAR) Loan Repayment Program, Pediatric Specialty (PS) Loan Repayment Program, Nursing Training, and Teaching Health Center Graduate Medical Education (THCGME) programs with facilities that are approved for their programs. Comments are due by April 15, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Mar 16, 2026 - Notice from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs announcing that the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) intends to renew its Veterans Rural Health Advisory Committee for a 2-year period. The committee advises the Secretary of VA on rural health care issues affecting Veterans, examines programs and policies that impact the delivery of VA rural health care to Veterans, discusses ways to improve and enhance VA access to rural health care services for Veterans.
Source: Federal Register