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Rural Health
News by Topic: Policy

May 1, 2026 - Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) seeking comments on a new information collection titled "Generic Clearance for the Collection of Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey (MCBS) Respondent "Pulse" Feedback." The MCBS Pulse will establish a proactive, data-driven process that will enable CMS to accomplish three goals: 1) enhancing operational efficiency by enabling decision-makers to obtain time-sensitive data points not available from other sources to inform program planning and development; 2) adding early design phase questionnaire testing capabilities by collecting rapid turnaround feedback on nascent questionnaire concepts; and 3) gathering directional feedback from beneficiaries on emerging concerns for exploratory purposes and early-stage issue identification. Comments are due by June 1, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
May 1, 2026 - Notice of final rule from the U.S. Department of Education amending the regulations for the federal student loan programs authorized under Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA) to implement changes outlined the July 4, 2025, Working Families Tax Cuts Act (Public Law 119-21). Among other things, these changes include establishing new loan limits for graduate students, professional students, and parents; phasing out the Graduate PLUS (Grad PLUS) Program; and establishing a new income-driven repayment plan known as the Repayment Assistance Plan. This final rule is effective July 1, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Apr 30, 2026 - The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is seeking comments on the following information collections: 1) Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey; and 2) Hospice Survey and Deficiencies Report Form and Supporting Regulations. Comments are due by June 29, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Apr 30, 2026 - Announces proposed bipartisan legislation to extend the Rural Community Hospital Demonstration program 5 more years. RCHD allows for innovative hospital payment model testing under Medicare to maintain healthcare access for rural communities.
Source: Office of Senator Chuck Grassley
Apr 29, 2026 - Notice from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) announcing the adjusted income eligibility guidelines for States to use to determine the income eligibility of applicants to the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). These guidelines are applicable July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027.
Source: Federal Register
Apr 28, 2026 - Discusses the implementation of prescription benefit information in electronic health records among rural providers. Discusses federal policy work to ease challenges with using health technology in rural practices.
Source: GovCIO Media & Research
Apr 24, 2026 - Order from the Federal Communications Commission waiving certain program rules for the Rural Health Care Program providers impacted by Hurricane Milton. Highlights changes to deadlines for appeals and waivers, information requests, and invoices as well as document retention rules.
Source: Universal Service Administrative Co.
Apr 23, 2026 - The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) is seeking nominations to the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF). Specific areas of expertise being sought include public health, application of science to health policy, and communication of scientific findings to diverse audiences. Nominations are due by May 23, 2026, to be considered for appointment beginning June 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Apr 22, 2026 - The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is seeking comments on the following information collections: 1) Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) Regulations and 2) Granting and Withdrawal of Deeming Authority to Private Nonprofit Accreditation Organizations and CLIA Exemption Under State Laboratory Programs. Comments are due by June 22, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Apr 22, 2026 - Notice from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) announcing the adjusted levels of monthly benefits in the Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer for Children (Summer EBT) Program. These benefit levels are applicable January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2026.
Source: Federal Register