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Rural Health
News by Topic: Policy

Mar 10, 2026 - Discusses sexual assault nurse examiner (SANE) shortages across Kentucky, particularly in rural areas where case volume and access to training are limited. Describes the impacts of SANE shortages for assault survivors and state policy measures being considered to address the shortage.
Source: WPSD Local 6
Mar 10, 2026 - Describes the maternal healthcare workforce distribution in North Carolina and health disparities for rural residents where there are workforce shortages. Notes that recent policy measures aiming to increase rural access with certified nurse midwives has not fully addressed the shortage. Discusses the potential for doulas to fill the gap.
Source: NC Newsline
Mar 10, 2026 - Highlights the increased cost of healthcare for rural Vermont residents due to Medicare reimbursement policy for Critical Access Hospitals. Notes that policymakers are investigating solutions that equitably distribute cost while supporting CAHs that may be negatively impacted by budget changes.
Mar 9, 2026 - Notice from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) seeking comments on 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 by May 8, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Mar 9, 2026 - The Department of Education is seeking comments on the reinstatement of an information collection titled "Health Education Assistance Loan (HEAL) Program Regs." Comments are due by April 8, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Mar 9, 2026 - Announcement from the USDA Rural Business-Cooperative Service, Rural Housing Service, and Rural Utilities Service of guarantee fee rates, guarantee percent for guaranteed loans, the periodic retention fee, and fees for the issuance of the loan note guarantee prior to construction completion for FY 2026 for the following loans programs: 1) Community Facilities, 2) Water and Waste Disposal (WWD), 3) Business and Industry, and 4) Rural Energy for America Program (REAP). These fees are effective on October 1, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Mar 6, 2026 - Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) making technical corrections to the February 11, 2026, proposed rule. This correction is effective March 6, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Mar 5, 2026 - The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Civil Rights (OCR) is seeking comments on proposed revisions to an information collection titled "Civil Rights and Conscience Complaint and Health Information Privacy, Security, and Breach Notification Complaint." The revisions omit certain questions to reduce the burden on the complainant, clarify terms, update statutory and regulatory authorities, and conform the forms to E.O. 14168 on "Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government" and the court order in Texas v. Becerra, No. 6:24-CV-211-JDK, 2024 WL 4490621, at *2 (E.D. Tex. Aug. 30, 2024). Comments are due by April 6, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Mar 4, 2026 - The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announces the charter renewal of the Board of Scientific Counselors, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (BSC, NCIPC). The charter renewal is effective for a two-year period, through January 13, 2028.
Source: Federal Register
Mar 2, 2026 - The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is seeking comments on an information collection titled "Medicare Enrollment Application for Physician and Non-Physician Practitioners." The Form CMS-855I is the enrollment application submitted by physicians and non-physician practitioners to ensure the applicant has the necessary credentials to provide the healthcare services for which they intend to bill Medicare. Comments are due by April 1, 2026.
Source: Federal Register