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Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
News by Topic: Policy

Sep 11, 2026 - Notice of proposed rulemaking from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) proposing to remove the availability of the up to 60-day discretionary grace period upon cessation of employment for individuals in certain nonimmigrant classifications. Comments are due by November 10, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Sep 11, 2026 - Notice of proposed rulemaking from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) proposing regulations regarding qualified opportunity zones and opportunity funds. Among other things, the proposed regulations would implement new statutory requirements for qualified opportunity funds to file information returns with the IRS and for qualified opportunity zone businesses to furnish statements to qualified opportunity funds that hold interests in them, would clarify the qualified opportunity fund self-certification rules and provide procedures for qualified opportunity funds to revoke inadvertent certifications or voluntarily decertify. Comments are due by October 16, 2026. The IRS will also hold a public hearing on the proposed regulations on November 5, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. Eastern. Requests to attend the hearing are due by November 3, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Sep 10, 2026 - The U.S. Census Bureau is seeking comments on a proposed rule that would add two new regulations regarding the decennial census. The proposed additions would outline the residence criteria used for identifying each person's "usual residence" and establish standards and restrictions for the inclusion of certain demographic questions on the decennial census short-form questionnaire and any other questionnaire used for the enumeration of the population. Comments are due by October 13, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Sep 10, 2026 - Notice from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) making corrections to the August 25, 2026, proposed rule titled "Fee for Certain H-1B Petitions."
Source: Federal Register
Sep 9, 2026 - Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) modifying an existing system of records maintained by CMS titled "Hospice Item Set (HIS) System." The amended System of Records Notice (SORN) reflects changes to now include real time data collection at the time of patient assessments to improve the understanding of patient care needs and care coordination. CMS is also changing the name of the system of records to "Hospice Outcomes and Patient Evaluation (HOPE)." This modified system of records notice is effective on September 9, 2026, with the exception of the routine uses, which are effective October 9, 2026. Comments are due within 30 days of the publication of this notice.
Source: Federal Register
Sep 9, 2026 - Notice from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) seeking comments on proposed revisions to the NTIA Internet Use Survey, also referred to as the Current Population Survey (CPS) Computer and Internet Use Supplement. Revisions reflect a re-examination of the questions and language in NTIA's Internet Use Survey to ensure the resulting data meets today's needs and will allow NTIA to respond to congressional concerns and directives. The proposed survey is available on the NTIA website. Includes specific questions and topics of interest to NTIA. Comments are due by November 9, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Sep 8, 2026 - Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announcing a virtual town hall meeting to be held on December 9-10, 2026, to discuss FY 2028 applications for add-on payments for new medical services and technologies under the Medicare Hospital Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS). Information on how to join the meeting will be posted on the New Technology website. The deadline to register to present at the meeting is November 2, 2026. Written comments and agenda items for discussion at the meeting are due by November 12, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Sep 4, 2026 - Notice from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Administration (FNA) seeking comments on proposed revisions to an information collection related to the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (FMNP). FNA proposes to update the currently approved WIC FMNP burden estimates and merge the WIC FMNP burden estimates with the Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) information collection activities. Comments are due by November 3, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Sep 4, 2026 - Describes the loss of childcare slots across North Carolina and the financial and regulatory challenges with offering childcare services. Highlights 2 rural childcare pilot programs that will inform future policy to address identified challenges.
Sep 4, 2026 - Notice from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Business-Cooperative Service (RBCS), Rural Housing Service (RHS), and Rural Utilities Service (RUS) seeking comments on proposed revisions to an information collection titled "Rural Development (RD) Loan Modernization Initiative." RD is developing an Online Loan Application for the applicants to submit requests for Direct Loan assistance electronically. Initial release of the online application system will be available for RBCS Business and Industry Guaranteed Loan Program, and then RHS Community Facilities programs and RUS Water and Environmental Programs. Comments are due by November 3, 2026.
Source: Federal Register