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Rural Health Information Hub
Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
News by Topic: Policy

Mar 26, 2026 - Highlights the Rural Health Agenda, a bipartisan and bicameral group of proposed legislation aiming to support rural hospitals through increased Medicare reimbursement, introduce new funding to promote innovation in rural emergency healthcare, and incentivize rural communities for healthcare workers through extended loan repayment programs.
Source: Office of Senator Marsha Blackburn
Mar 26, 2026 - Highlights housing policies from rural Maine, North Dakota, Washington, and Oregon that make their communities more affordable and livable, including for older adults and residents with disabilities.
Source: AARP
Mar 25, 2026 - Notice from the U.S. Census Bureau allowing an additional 30 days for comments on the December 5, 2025, notice regarding revisions to the National Survey of Children's Health (NSCH). NSCH is designed to collect data on the physical and emotional health of children age 18 and younger, including information related to access to healthcare, family interactions, and school and afterschool experiences, among other things. Comments are due within 30 days of this notice.
Source: Federal Register
Mar 25, 2026 - Announces bipartisan legislation to improve access to mental health and addiction services for farmers and ranchers in rural communities.
Source: Office of Representative Derrick Van Orden
Mar 24, 2026 - Discusses how a new dashboard offering Tennessee county-level data on various healthcare and quality of life measures will aid researchers and policymakers in understanding and impacting rural communities. Notes that programs such as the Rural Health Transformation Program will benefit from having data to help direct money to the areas most in need.
Source: The Daily Yonder
Mar 24, 2026 - Notice of final rule from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) adopting standards for healthcare claims attachments transactions and a standard for electronic signatures to be used in conjunction with these transactions. This rule also summarizes and responds to comments received on the December 21, 2022, proposed rule. This final rule is effective May 26, 2026. Compliance with these regulations are required by May 26, 2028.
Source: Federal Register
Mar 24, 2026 - A new proposed California bill would create a program to provide menstrual products to female farmworkers in rural communities with high poverty rates. Discusses the lack of access to stores with hygiene products in rural areas.
Source: Imperial Valley Press
Mar 23, 2026 - The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announces the charter renewal of the National Committee on Vital Health and Statistics (NCVHS). The charter renewal is effective for a two-year period, through January 22, 2028.
Source: Federal Register
Mar 19, 2026 - Summarizes conversations at the Rural Health Transformation Summit on March 18, 2026, a meeting of state officials, experts, and federal administrators to discuss implementation of the Rural Health Transformation Plan. Discusses state program alignment with RHTP's 5 strategic goals: Make Rural America Healthy Again, sustainable access, workforce development, innovative care, and tech innovation. Notes the role of the Office of Rural Health Transformation (ORHT) within the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid (CMS).
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Mar 18, 2026 - The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is seeking comments on the following information collections: 1) Application To Be a Qualified Entity To Receive Medicare Data for Performance Measurement/Reapplication/Annual Report Worksheet; and 2) Good Cause Processes. Comments are due by May 18, 2026.
Source: Federal Register