This website is being reviewed for updates. Some information is offline. We apologize for any inconvenience.
Skip to main content
Rural Health Information Hub
Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
News by Topic: Policy

Feb 12, 2026 - Highlights policy efforts in the Mississippi legislature aiming to support rural hospitals in creating new revenue streams through new services. The proposed legislation amends certificate of need regulations in the state.
Source: Mississippi Today
Feb 12, 2026 - Announces a bipartisan bill to permanently extend COVID-era Medicare telehealth flexibilities for rural areas.
Source: Office of Representative Zach Nunn
Feb 11, 2026 - Notice of proposed rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services presenting methods to improve the implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, including payment parameters and provisions related to the HHS-operated risk adjustment and risk adjustment data validation (HHS-RADV) programs. Among other things, this proposed rule also contains 2027 user fee rates for qualified health plans (QHPs) through Federally-facilitated Exchanges (FFEs) and State-based Exchanges on the Federal platform (SBE-FPs). Comments are due March 13, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Feb 11, 2026 - Congressional representatives Andrea Salinas (OR), John Moolenaar (MI), Jill Tokuda (HI), and James Moylan (Guam) have introduced the Rural Health Care Facilities Revitalization Act, a bill to strengthen the nation's rural healthcare infrastructure and ease financial pressures faced by rural hospitals. The bill authorizes rural health facilities to use Community Facility Loans or loan guarantees from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to refinance debt, update technology, and support operating expenses to ensure financial stability.
Source: Office of Congresswoman Andrea Salinas
Feb 10, 2026 - The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is seeking comments on the Medical Loss Ratio (MLR) for Medicare Advantage (MA) Plans and Prescription Drug Plans (PDP) in order to determine is MLRs meet the statutory standard of a minimum of 85%. Comments are due April 13, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Feb 9, 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. In September 2025, the Census Bureau will conduct the 2030 Census Planning Survey, which is designed to understand attitudes and behaviors that relate to 2030 Census participation across demographic characteristics. The October and December topical surveys will include content from the Household Pulse Survey. Comments are due within 30 days of this notice.
Source: Federal Register
Feb 9, 2026 - Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) seeking comments on a new matching program between CMS and the Social Security Administration (SSA) titled "Determining Enrollment or Eligibility for Insurance Affordability Programs Under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act." This matching program will provide CMS with information for determining individuals' eligibility for enrollment in a Qualified Health Plan, issuing certificates of exemption, and eligibility redeterminations and renewals. Comments are due by March 11, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Feb 6, 2026 - The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is seeking comments on the following information collections: 1) Emergency Preparedness Requirements for Medicare and Medicaid Participating Providers and Suppliers; 2) 13th SOW Quality Innovation Network—Quality Improvement Organization (QIN-QIO) and American Indian Alaskan Native (AIAN) Measure Data Collection; and 3) Conditions of Participation for Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facilities' (PRTFs) Use of Restraint & Seclusion. Comments are due by March 9, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Feb 5, 2026 - Notice of final rule from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) establishing a new registration category for emergency medical services (EMS) agencies that handle controlled substances in accordance with the statutory requirements of the Protecting Patient Access to Emergency Medications Act of 2017. This rule creates standards for registering EMS agencies; establishes requirements for delivery, storage, and recordkeeping related to their handling of controlled substances; and allows EMS professionals to administer controlled substances outside the physical presence of a medical director or authorizing medical professional while providing emergency medical services. This rule is effective March 9, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Feb 5, 2026 - Describes proposed bipartisan legislation permanently authorizing telescreening mammography services in rural and other areas for veterans.
Source: The Office of Representative Glenn Thompson