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Rural Health
News by Topic: Policy

Aug 19, 2026 - Notice from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) seeking comments on an information collection request titled "Voluntary Partner Survey on HRSA Customer Service—OMB No. 0906-0084—Revision." This information collection request will gather feedback about stakeholder experiences with HRSA programs, resources, training experiences, internal procedures, and other standard interactions between HRSA and stakeholders with the goal of improving federal government service delivery. Comments are due by October 19, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Aug 19, 2026 - Notice of proposed rule from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Business-Cooperative Service (RBCS) and Rural Housing Service (RHS) proposing to rescind USDA Rural Development and RBCS regulations regarding construction and repairs. Among other things, the proposed rescissions are intended to reduce Federal regulation and duplication since local building codes and permitting systems already protect federal investments by ensuring structural integrity, safety, and compliance for construction and development. Comments are due by October 19, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Aug 17, 2026 - Notice from the Food and Nutrition Administration (FNA) extending the comment period for the June 24, 2026, proposed rule titled "Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program: Changes in Federal-State Administrative Cost Sharing." Comments are now due September 8, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Aug 17, 2026 - Explains policy changes at the U.S. Census Bureau regarding disclosure avoidance methods in its statistical products. Notes how the policy change will impact small geographic areas and population groups, where confidentiality risks are highest.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau
Aug 14, 2026 - The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is requesting comments on an information collection titled "Data Collection for the Residential Care Community and Adult Day Services Center Components of the National Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Study" regarding the data collected for the 2027 wave of the National Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Study. Comments are due October 13, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Aug 13, 2026 - Notice of a final rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) prohibiting the use of Medicaid funds for procedures identified as gender-affirming care for children under 18. Additionally, the rule prohibits the use of federal Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) funds for procedures identified as gender-affirming care for children under 19. This rule is effective October 13, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Aug 13, 2026 - Advisory notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to alert certain clinicians who are Qualifying APM participants (QPs) and have earned an Alternative Payment Model (APM) Incentive Payment that CMS does not have the current information needed to disburse the payment. Provides information to QPs on how to update their Medicare billing information so that CMS can disburse payments. All information should be sent to CMS by October 13, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Aug 13, 2026 - The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is seeking comments on an information collection titled "Data Security Requirements for Accessing Confidential Data (OMB Control Number: 0930-0396)—Extension" regarding the use of and processing of applications in the standard application process (SAP) Portal to request confidential data from the Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality. Comments are due October 13, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Aug 12, 2026 - The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is requesting comments on an information collection titled "Electronic Funds Transfer Authorization Agreement" regarding electronic collection and verification of payment information for Medicare providers/suppliers. Comments are due October 13, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Aug 12, 2026 - The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is seeking nominations for the National Vaccine Advisory Committee, which provides advice and makes recommendations to the Director of the National Vaccine Program. Nominations are due 30 days from publication of this notice.
Source: Federal Register