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Rural Health Information Hub
Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
News by Topic: Policy

Jan 26, 2026 - Notice from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) rescinding the September 17, 2021, HHS Office for Civil Rights (OCR) notice titled "Guidance on Nondiscrimination Protections under the Church Amendments."
Source: Federal Register
Jan 23, 2026 - The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is seeking comments on the extension of an information collection titled "Emergency Ambulance Transports and Beneficiary Signature." The information collected is used to ensure that emergency and nonemergency ambulance transport services were in fact rendered and were rendered as billed. Comments are due by March 24, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Jan 22, 2026 - Notice from the Indian Health Service (IHS) announcing the calendar year 2026 reimbursement rates for inpatient and outpatient medical care provided by IHS facilities to Medicare, Medicaid, and other federal program beneficiaries. The updated rates apply to all qualifying services provided on or after January 1, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Jan 21, 2026 - The Food and Drug Administration has issued an Emergency Use Authorization for certain medical devices related to the COVID-19 pandemic. These authorizations are effective on their date of issuance.
Source: Federal Register
Jan 21, 2026 - The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Assistant Secretary for Technology Policy (ASTP) announces the dates for public meetings of the Health Information Technology Advisory Committee (HITAC) to be held throughout the 2026 calendar year.
Source: Federal Register
Jan 20, 2026 - The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is seeking comments on Round 8 of the "National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) Rapid Surveys System (RSS)." The RSS complements the current household survey systems at NCHS and uses survey data from probability-based online panels to produce time-sensitive estimates of new and emerging public health topics, attitudes, and behaviors. Comments are due within 30 days of this notice.
Source: Federal Register
Jan 20, 2026 - The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is allowing an additional 30 days for comments on a proposed information collection project titled "National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN)." This information collection is designed to provides facilities, states, regions, and the nation with data necessary to identify problem areas, measure the progress of prevention efforts, and ultimately eliminate healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) nationwide. Comments are due within 30 days of this notice.
Source: Federal Register
Jan 20, 2026 - Highlights a state-funded program offering charter flights for rural Hawaiians with off-island medical appointments. Describes current and projected funding needs for sustainability, physician shortages in rural areas, reimbursement rate challenges driving workforce shortages, and the state's Rural Health Transformation Program plans.
Source: Honolulu Civil Beat
Jan 20, 2026 - Offers an interview with the incoming National Rural Health Association President. Discusses her professional experience, connection to rural areas, her work with NRHA, and goals for her tenure.
Source: National Rural Health Association
Jan 15, 2026 - Announces the updated 2026 Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) federal poverty guidelines for the 48 contiguous states, Alaska, and Hawaii, which took effect January 13, 2026. The HHS poverty guidelines are a simplified version of the poverty thresholds issued by the U.S. Census Bureau and are used to determine eligibility for several federal programs.
Source: Federal Register