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Rural Health
News by Topic: Policy

Jun 4, 2026 - The Census Bureau is seeking comments on revisions to the Household Trends and Outlook Pulse Survey (HTOPS). HTOPS, a progression from the Household Pulse Survey, is designed to ensure the availability of frequent data collection for nationwide estimates on a variety of topics for a variety of subgroups of the population. The July, September, and November 2026 surveys will include content from the Household Pulse Survey, which serves as an experimental endeavor in cooperation with other federal agencies to produce near real-time data to understand the effects of current events, including health events, and other social or economic events facing the nation or a significant portion of the nation. Comments are due within 30 days of this notice.
Source: Federal Register
Jun 4, 2026 - Notice of final rule from the Office of Personnel Management; Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Department of the Treasury; Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA), Department of Labor (DOL); and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) related to certain provisions of the No Surprises Act regarding the Federal independent dispute resolution (IDR) process. Among other things, this rule finalizes new requirements relating to the disclosure of information that group health plans and health insurance issuers offering group or individual health insurance coverage must include along with the initial payment or notice of denial of payment for certain items and services subject to the surprise billing protections in the No Surprises Act, amendments to certain requirements related to the open negotiation period preceding the Federal IDR process, and the definition of bundled payment arrangements. These rules are effective August 3, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Jun 3, 2026 - Notice of an interim final rule with comment period from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) related to the Medicaid community engagement requirement established by Public Law 119-21. This rule specifies the requirements and expectations for States implementing the community engagement requirement, including the Medicaid applicants and beneficiaries who must demonstrate community engagement as a condition of their eligibility, the types of qualifying activities that satisfy the community engagement requirement, the criteria to meet an exception from the requirement, and the criteria to meet a specified exclusion from the requirement. Among other things, this rule also establishes new state reporting requirements. These regulations are effective July 31, 2026. Comments are due by July 31, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Jun 2, 2026 - Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) regarding the United States District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi order in Tennessee v. Kennedy, No. 1:24-cv-161-LG-BWR (S.D. Miss. Oct. 22, 2025), which vacates portions of the May 6, 2024, final rule titled "Nondiscrimination in Health Programs and Activities." Pursuant to the court's order, the vacated provisions are legally void.
Source: Federal Register
Jun 1, 2026 - Notice of a final rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) updating and revising the Increasing Organ Transplant Access Model (IOTA Model) for Performance Year (PY) 2. The IOTA Model tests whether performance-based upside risk payments or downside risk payments paid to or owed by participating kidney transplant hospitals increase access to kidney transplants for patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) while preserving or enhancing the quality of care and reducing Medicare expenditures. This rule is effective July 1, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Jun 1, 2026 - Notice from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) seeking comments on a new computer matching program between the FCC, the Universal Service Administrative Company, and the New Mexico Health Care Authority to verify the eligibility of applicants and subscribers to Lifeline and the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). These programs are designed to facilitate and support access to affordable broadband services for low-income consumers and families. Comments are due by July 1, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Jun 1, 2026 - Notice from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) seeking comments on a new computer matching program between the FCC, the Universal Service Administrative Company, and the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services Department for Community Based Services to verify the eligibility of applicants and subscribers to Lifeline and the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). These programs are designed to facilitate and support access to affordable broadband services for low-income consumers and families. Comments are due by July 1, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
May 29, 2026 - Notice of proposed rule from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) proposing revisions to the Guidance for Federal Financial Assistance to improve government-wide policies and requirements related to the management of grants, cooperative agreements, and other forms of assistance. These revisions are intended to improve transparency, accountability, and oversight for federal awards. Among other things, this rule proposes elimination of fixed amount awards and fixed amount subawards, proposed payment accountability reforms, reforms related to subrecipient oversight, and changes to national policy provisions. Comments are due by July 13, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
May 29, 2026 - The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is seeking comments on the extension of the generic information collection request (ICR) entitled Generic Clearance for Grant Program Monitoring Activities. Information collected is used by SAMHSA to perform agency program oversight activities such as monitoring progress on recipient activities, determining and responding to recipient's training and technical assistance needs, and ensure compliance with federal and programmatic requirements. Comments are due by July 28, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
May 27, 2026 - The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) is accepting applications for the Public Transportation on Indian Reservations (Tribal Transit) Program for fiscal year 2026. Proposals are due by August 25, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Related funding: Public Transportation on Indian Reservations Program: Tribal Transit Program