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Rural Health Information Hub
Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
News by Topic: Policy

Jul 2, 2026 - Notice from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) terminating three declarations that authorized the emergency use of in vitro diagnostics for detection and/or diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2; personal respiratory protective devices during the COVID-19 outbreak; and medical devices, including alternative products used as medical devices. On June 29, 2026, the HHS Secretary determined that the circumstances no longer exist justifying the emergency use of these medical devices. These declarations are terminated effective December 26, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Jul 2, 2026 - Notice from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Housing Service rescinding the July 8, 2025, notice announcing that RHS was accepting applications for the Rural Community Development Initiative (RCDI) for fiscal year 2025. USDA Rural Development is currently updating the program's notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) to ensure it reflects existing guidance in addition to new policy and program priorities that have emerged since the original publication. Applications submitted under this NOFO will not advance further in the review process. Applicants will be required to submit a new application once a future RCDI NOFO is issued.
Source: Federal Register
Related funding: Rural Community Development Initiative (RCDI)
Jul 2, 2026 - Describes primary care challenges in Texas and discusses how those challenges are reflected in primary care nationally. Challenges discussed include access to care, clinician administrative burden, workforce, and coordinating reform efforts. Notes that primary care in rural, frontier, and underserved regions of Texas support community stability and vitality. Highlights broad policy options for supporting primary care.
Source: Commonwealth Fund
Jul 1, 2026 - Notice from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announcing the establishment of the Alliance of National Councils for Homeland Operational Resilience—Critical Infrastructure (ANCHOR-CI). ANCHOR-CI is an advisory body comprised of sector, cross-sector, regional, and industry councils that provide group advice and recommendations to the Secretary of Homeland Security through the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) Director to ensure a coordinated national effort to foster a secure and resilient critical infrastructure and cyberspace, exchange best practices pertaining to technical assistance, and cooperatively maintain mechanisms for collaboration with Sector Risk Management Agencies.
Source: Federal Register
Jul 1, 2026 - Announcement from the Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) that State Primary Care Offices (PCOs) will have additional review time for Health Professional Shortage Areas identified through the 2025 National Shortage Designation Update as "proposed for withdrawal." PCOs may use the additional time to update data and submit revisions where appropriate before HRSA takes final action.
Source: Health Resources & Services Administration
Jun 30, 2026 - Notice from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announcing the reorganization of the HHS Office for Civil Rights. The reorganization is effective June 28, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Jun 29, 2026 - Describes new bipartisan legislation passed out of committee to the full U.S. House of Representatives. The Health Care Efficiency Through Flexibility Act offers aims to streamline and reduce costs for Accountable Care Organization (ACO) reporting by allowing facilities to transition to digital quality measures.
Source: U.S. House Committee on Ways & Means
Jun 29, 2026 - The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announces the renewal of the charter of the Advisory Committee on Breast Cancer in Young Women (ACBCYW). The charter is renewed for two years, through June 17, 2028.
Source: Federal Register
Jun 29, 2026 - Describes proposed legislation that makes changes to the 340B Drug Pricing Program and requests feedback on the proposal. Comments are due by August 28, 2026.
Source: U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Jun 29, 2026 - Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) making corrections to the June 3, 2026, interim final rule titled "Medicaid Program; Community Engagement Requirement for Certain Individuals."
Source: Federal Register