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Rural Health
News by Topic: Policy

Jun 12, 2026 - The Administration for Children and Families is seeking comment on a data collection for the new Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Pilot Evaluation. Under the pilot program, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services will select up to 5 states to test outcomes-based performance benchmarks in the TANF program. Comments are due July 13, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Jun 11, 2026 - Describes a planned notice of proposed rulemaking regarding budget neutrality standards for Medicaid section 1115 demonstrations. The new standard is expected to be in effect on or after January 1, 2027. States with demonstrations up for renewal in 2027 may be required to take additional steps in the renewal process. More information will be released in future rulemaking.
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Newsroom
Jun 11, 2026 - Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) establishing the CMS Office of Health Technology and Products (OHTP). OHTP will provide enterprise leadership and oversight for CMS healthcare technology modernization, digital products, and transformation of platforms and services supporting Medicare, Medicaid, the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and other CMS-administered programs. This organizational change was effective June 9, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Jun 11, 2026 - The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is seeking nominations for membership on the Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS (PACHA). PACHA was established to provide advice, information, and recommendations to the Secretary regarding programs, policies, and research to promote effective treatment, prevention and cure of HIV and AIDS, including considering common comorbidities, as needed to promote effective HIV diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and quality care services. Nominations are due within 30 days of this notice.
Source: Federal Register
Jun 11, 2026 - Notice of final rule from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) rescinding its regulations that govern the Rural Veterans Coordination Pilot (RVCP) grant program. The statutory authority for the RVCP grant program has expired. This rule is effective July 13, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Jun 10, 2026 - Notice from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) allowing an additional 30 days for comment on the March 9, 2026, notice regarding a proposed information collection titled "Developmental/Methodological Projects to Improve the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) and Related Programs." NHANES produces descriptive statistics, which measure the health and nutrition status of the general population. The purpose of these projects is to evaluate proposed survey designs, content, methods, and alternative approaches to survey activities for NHANES or National Center for Health Statistics-wide projects. Comments are due within 30 days of this notice.
Source: Federal Register
Jun 10, 2026 - Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) seeking comments on the reinstatement with change of an information collection titled "Generic Clearance for the Collection of Qualitative Feedback." Information collected will be used to ensure that CMS customers and stakeholders have effective, efficient, and satisfying experiences with CMS's programs. Comments are due by August 10, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Jun 10, 2026 - Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) seeking comments on the extension of an information collection titled "Physician Certifications/Recertifications in Skilled Nursing Facilities Manual Instruction." The physician certification and recertification is intended to ensure that the beneficiary's need for services has been established and then reviewed and updated at appropriate intervals and is a condition for Medicare Part A payment for post-hospital skilled nursing facility (SNF) care. Comments are due by July 10, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Jun 10, 2026 - Announcement from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) of the approval of the Commission on Laboratory Accreditation (COLA) as an accreditation organization for clinical laboratories under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 (CLIA) program for the specialty of histocompatibility. This approval is applicable from July 10, 2026, to June 10, 2031.
Source: Federal Register
Jun 10, 2026 - Notice of a request for information (RFI) from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) regarding substance research, policy, and strategies to improve the prevention, treatment, recovery from mental illness and substance use. HHS seeks information from public, patients, people with lived experience of addiction and recovery, healthcare providers, community-based organizations, faith-based organizations, policymakers and others on improvements to the programs and policies of the United States government and HHS that focus on substance use, including opioid and polysubstance use, prevention, treatment, and recovery as well as mental health treatment prevention, and recovery in all age groups. Includes specific questions and topics of interest to HHS. Comments are due by July 5, 2026.
Source: Federal Register