Skip to main content
Rural Health Information Hub
Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
News by Topic: Policy

Apr 1, 2026 - Notice from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) making technical corrections to the February 5, 2026, final rule.
Source: Federal Register
Apr 1, 2026 - The Government Accountability Office (GAO) is accepting nominations for appointment to the Board of Governors of the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI). Specifically, GAO is accepting nominations in the following categories: a physician, a quality improvement or health services researcher, and a representative of private payers who represents employers who self-insure employee benefits. Nominations are due by May 1, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Apr 1, 2026 - Notice from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) reversing the July 29, 2024, notice that moved technology and data policy and strategy functions from the Assistant Secretary for Administration to the Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT (ONC). This notice restores ONC as a singularly titled office. In addition, the roles and responsibilities of the HHS Chief Technology Officer, Office of the HHS Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer, and Office of the HHS Chief Data Officer will no longer be part of ONC.
Source: Federal Register
Mar 31, 2026 - The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) is allowing an additional 30 days for comments on proposed revisions to an information collection titled "Medical Expenditures Panel Survey—Household Component, OMB No. 0935-0118." Proposed changes include revising the wording of 24 questions for clarity and to improve the response rate; replacing two exercise items on the 2022 MEPS Preventive Care Self-Administered Questionnaire (PSAQ) with five new items for exercise and strength training; adding questions to the PSAQ about use of sleep medication, trouble getting to sleep, screen time, use of wearable devices, self-assessed diet quality, fruit and vegetable consumption, meals eaten away from home, former smoking, and weight loss attempt; and more. Comments are due by April 30, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Mar 31, 2026 - Notice of proposed rule from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Housing Service (RHS) proposing changes to the Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program (SFHGLP) regulation to allow the RHS to finance a single-family home with one or more income-producing Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU). Comments are due by June 1, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Mar 30, 2026 - Describes the problems older adults in rural Ohio face in accessing food pantry programs they are eligible for due to transportation and mobility challenges. Notes proposed legislation that would assist food pantries with expanding food delivery services into more rural parts of their service area.
Source: The Ohio Newsroom
Mar 27, 2026 - Highlights the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Modernization Act of 2026, bipartisan reauthorizing legislation addressing access to safe, affordable housing for American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians.
Source: United States Senate Committee on Indian Affairs
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