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Rural Health Information Hub
Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
News by Topic: Policy

Oct 14, 2026 - Notice from the Indian Health Service (IHS) seeking comments on a proposed reinstatement of an information collection titled "Purchased/Referred Care (PRC) Proof of Residency." The information collected is used to verify that individuals seeking medical services through PRC meet the residency requirements. Comments are due by December 14, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Oct 14, 2026 - Mississippi officials are creating a new state health plan focusing access to care, workforce, and sustainability in public health systems. The new plan will update the last plan published in 2023. The process is being funded with Rural Health Transformation Program funds.
Source: Mississippi Today
Oct 14, 2026 - Virginia leaders are considering expanding the definition of rural to allow more areas to qualify for Rural Health Transformation Program funding. The expanded definition must be approved by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
Source: WDBJ
Oct 13, 2026 - The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is seeking comments to inform the development of the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, 2nd edition Supplement: 2027 Steps and Muscle-Strengthening Guidance. Specifically, HHS seeks comments regarding existing high-quality, evidence-based reports, programs, or campaigns related to steps and/or muscle-strengthening physical activity and related positive health outcomes. Comments are due by November 12, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Oct 13, 2026 - Notice from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) seeking comments on an information collection request titled "Healthy Start Evaluation and Quality Improvement, OMB No. 0915-0338—Revision." Proposed revisions include changes to clarifying instructions, updating response options to improve accuracy in reporting, and adding fields to capture the month of infant birth and/or death. Comments are due by November 12, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Oct 13, 2026 - Notice from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) Office of Autism Research Coordination (OARC) seeking research articles for consideration for inclusion in the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC) Summary of Advances. The Summary of Advances is a statutorily mandated report that highlights the most consequential autism research of the past year. Respondents may suggest up to five peer-reviewed studies published since January 1, 2025, and may also identify gaps in current autism research. Comments must be submitted via the web-based form by October 23, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Oct 9, 2026 - Notice from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) seeking comments on an information collection request titled "Applicant Organizational National Provider Identifiers and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Certification Numbers Form, OMB No. 0906-xxxx New." HRSA proposes to collect organizational National Provider Identifiers (Type 2 NPIs) and CMS Certification Numbers (CCNs) from organizations that apply for HRSA award funding through Grants.gov. Information collected will enable HRSA to link its program and award data to publicly available external datasets that use NPIs and CCNs and will be used solely for research, evaluation, and analysis of program reach, effectiveness, and accountability. Comments are due by November 9, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Oct 9, 2026 - Notice from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) seeking comments on the extension of a generic clearance to conduct qualitative research to gain a better understanding of emerging substance use and mental health policy issues; improve the development and quality of instruments; and ensure SAMHSA leadership, centers, and offices have recent data and information for program and policy decision-making. Comments are due by December 8, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Oct 8, 2026 - Notice of final rule from the Indian Health Service (IHS) removing language in the Code of Federal Regulations that refers to an outdated process for determining what the IHS will charge for care to non-IHS beneficiaries. This rule is effective December 7, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Oct 8, 2026 - Notice of final rule from the Indian Health Service (IHS) removing regulations appearing in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) that duplicate other regulations in the CFR, have never been implemented, and were referred to as "suspended" in a 1999 Federal Register Notice. This rule is effective December 7, 2026.
Source: Federal Register