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Rural Health
News by Topic: Policy

Sep 29, 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 Georgia Department of Human Services, Department of Family and Children Services to verify the eligibility of applicants and subscribers to Lifeline. Lifeline provides discounted broadband and voice services to low-income consumers. Comments are due by October 29, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Sep 29, 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 Connecticut Department of Social Services to verify the eligibility of applicants and subscribers to Lifeline. Lifeline provides discounted broadband and voice services to low-income consumers. Comments are due by October 29, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Sep 28, 2026 - Notice from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) correcting the September 11, 2026, proposed rule regarding qualified opportunity zones and opportunity funds. Comments on the proposed rule are due by October 26, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Sep 25, 2026 - Announces proposed bipartisan legislation establishing a pilot program that would allow for reimbursement of dental care provided to rural veterans. The program aims to increase access to care while managing cost and capacity by using existing U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs infrastructure.
Source: Office of Representative Jack Bergman
Sep 25, 2026 - Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) seeking comments on the re-establishment of a matching program between CMS and the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Do Not Pay Working System. The purpose of the matching program is to provide CMS with information to identify providers and suppliers who are ineligible for Medicare enrollment; suspend or revoke the Medicare billing privileges of the identified disqualified providers and suppliers; enable the recoupment of past payments made to those providers and suppliers; detect and prevent fraud, waste, and abuse and avoid making future improper payments to disqualified providers and suppliers; and enhance patient safety for beneficiaries in CMS programs. Comments are due by October 26, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Sep 25, 2026 - Notice from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Housing Service (RHS) implementing the Multifamily Housing (MFH) Preservation Pilot and announcing the Multifamily Housing Guaranteed Loan Notice of Loan-to-Cost Percentage Change. RHS will use the MFH Preservation Pilot to determine if it can improve program delivery efficiency for transactions that facilitate preservation of low-income housing units in rural America while maintaining appropriate risk management of the portfolio. The loan-to-cost change updates the maximum loan-to-cost percentage for Section 538 loans guaranteed under Option 3 (Continuous Guarantee) from 70% to 80%, and is separate from the Pilot. The Multifamily Housing (MFH) Preservation Pilot will operate between October 9, 2026, and September 25, 2028.
Source: Federal Register
Sep 24, 2026 - Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) seeking public input regarding the establishment of standards for reasonable and relevant pharmacy contract terms and conditions under the Medicare prescription drug benefit as outlined by Section 6223(a) of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026 (P.L. 119-75). Specifically, CMS seeks comments on pharmacy reimbursement and dispensing fees, current contract practices, trends in contract terms and conditions, and pharmacy quality and performance measures, among other things. Comments are due by November 23, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Sep 24, 2026 - Notice from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Administration (FNA) seeking comments on proposed revisions to an information collection request titled "Generic Clearance for FNA Quick Response Surveys (FNA QRS)." Information collected under this clearance will include sample frame data collections and quick-response surveys. Quick-response data collections will be used to survey key administrators of FNA programs at the state, local, and site level to answer policy and implementation questions. Comments are due by November 23, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Sep 24, 2026 - The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) announces the extension of funds for certain health centers to avoid a gap in services while HRSA awards funds through the fiscal year 2027 Service Area Competition. Health centers with a current period of performance of January 1, 2023, through December 31, 2026, or February 1, 2023, through January 31, 2027, will receive an extension of funds through June 30, 2027. Health centers with a current period of performance of March 1, 2023, through February 28, 2027, will receive an extension with funds through July 31, 2027.
Source: Federal Register
Sep 23, 2026 - Executive Order from the Office of the President regarding the H-1B program. Among other things, this Executive Order directs the Secretary of State, Secretary of Labor, and Secretary of Homeland Security to coordinate and consult with the Secretary of Commerce, Secretary of Education, and Administrator of the Small Business Administration to ensure the compliance of H-1B petitions and visas with regulatory requirements.
Source: Federal Register