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Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
News by Topic: Policy

Jun 18, 2026 - Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) seeking comments on revisions to an information collection titled "Submission of 1135 Waiver Request Automated Process." CMS aims to better support emergency response by capturing the emergency date, simplifying ongoing status updates for stakeholders, and providing a more comprehensive view of cybersecurity incidents through expanded reporting on patient and operational impacts. The Acute Hospital Care at Home (AHCAH) initiative was codified in the Consolidate Appropriations Act, 2025, and is no longer part of the 1135 waiver information collection request. Comments are due by July 20, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Jun 18, 2026 - The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is seeking comments on a request for information (RFI) regarding technical input on the services and business practices of pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) and their affiliates to inform implementation of recent legislation. The RFI specifically focuses on two specific legislative requirements that are effective beginning calendar year 2028: 1) restrictions on the remuneration that PBMs and their affiliates may receive for services in connection with the utilization of covered Part D drugs and 2) data reporting requirements. Comments are due by July 20, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Jun 18, 2026 - Notice from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) seeking comments on an information collection request titled "Questionnaire and Data Collection Testing, Evaluation, and Research for HRSA." Information collected will be used to inform the development of new questions, questionnaires, and tools; pilot/pre-test instruments under development; and identify problems in instruments currently in use. Comments are due by August 17, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Jun 17, 2026 - Describes organizational and workflow changes at the U.S Department of Agriculture's Rural Development, including in loan and grant processing.
Source: USDA Rural Development Newsroom
Jun 16, 2026 - The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is seeking comments on the following information collections: 1) Conditions of Coverage for Portable X-ray Suppliers and Supporting Regulations; and 2) Requirements Related to Surprise Billing; Part II. Comments are due by July 16, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Jun 16, 2026 - Notice of proposed rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) that would codify the Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program, establish certain new policies for the Negotiation Program and the Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit Program as required by the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, and propose a modification to the fixed combination drug policy. Comments are due by August 17, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Jun 16, 2026 - Notice of final rule with comment period from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) establishing provisions to strengthen the oversight of Medicare national accrediting organizations by addressing conflicts of interest; establishing consistent standards, processes, and definitions; and updating the validation and performance standards systems. In addition, this rule revises the psychiatric hospital survey process, adds a limitation on terminated deemed providers and suppliers when reentering the program, and provides technical corrections for End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) facilities and Transplant Programs. This rule is effective June 16, 2027. Comments are due by August 17, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Jun 16, 2026 - Notice from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) seeking comments on the proposed extension of an information collection titled "Project/Performance Site Location(s), Project Abstract, and Key Contacts forms." These forms are used by organizations applying for grants and federal grant-making agencies can use them as an alternative to the Standard Form (SF) 424 data set and form. Comments are due by July 16, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Jun 16, 2026 - Notice from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) seeking comments on proposed updates to the Uniform Data System (UDS) for performance year 2026. Summarizes and responds to comments received in response to the related December 10, 2025, notice. Comments are due by July 16, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Jun 15, 2026 - Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) seeking public input regarding its comprehensive review of the Essential Health Benefits (EHB) framework and the requirement that the scope of EHB be equal to the scope of benefits provided under a typical employer plan. Among other things, CMS seeks comments on current interpretations of EHB, state approaches to selecting and updating EHB-benchmark plans, methodologies used to determine the scope of benefits included as EHB, and how these approaches relate to access and market stability under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Comments are due by July 15, 2026.
Source: Federal Register