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Rural Health Information Hub
Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
News by Topic: Policy

Mar 24, 2025 - Notice of final rule from the Drug Enforcement Administration and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) further delaying the January 17, 2025, final rules titled "Expansion of Buprenorphine Treatment via Telemedicine Encounter" and "Continuity of Care via Telemedicine for Veterans Affairs Patients." These final rules will now be effective December 31, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Mar 21, 2025 - The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is seeking comments on the following information collections: 1) Application for Enrollment in Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance); 2) Application for Medicare Part A and Part B Special Enrollment Period (Exceptional Circumstances); 3) Request for Enrollment in Supplementary Medical Insurance (SMI); 4) CMS Plan Benefit Package (PBP) and Formulary CY 2026; and 5) Dual Eligible Special Needs Plan Contract with the State Medicaid Agency. Comments are due by April 21, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Mar 21, 2025 - Executive Order from the Office of the President intending to streamline federal government preparedness operations; update relevant policies to reduce complexity, and enable state and local governments to better understand, plan for, and ultimately address the needs of their citizens. Among other things, this Executive Order directs the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs (APNSA), in coordination with the Assistant to the President for Economic Policy and the heads of relevant executive departments and agencies, to publish a National Resilience Strategy that articulates the priorities, means, and ways to advance national resilience; and directs the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy and the heads of relevant agencies to review all critical infrastructure policies and recommend to revisions, recissions, and replacements necessary to achieve a more resilient posture.
Source: Federal Register
Mar 20, 2025 -

Executive Order from the Office of the President revoking 18 previous Executive Orders and Actions. Among other things, this Executive Order revokes actions related to COVID-19, infant formula, and funding for tribal nations.

Source: Federal Register
Mar 19, 2025 - Notice of proposed rule related to implementation of Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and Health Insurance Marketplace. Among other things, this rule proposes revisions to standards relating to past-due premium payments; the evidentiary standard HHS uses to assess an agent's, broker's, or web-broker's potential noncompliance; income eligibility verifications for premium tax credits and cost-sharing reductions; annual eligibility redetermination; the annual open enrollment period; special enrollment periods; and more. Comments are due by April 11, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Mar 18, 2025 -

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announces the renewal of the public health emergency (PHE) regarding opioid use. The renewal extends the PHE for 90 days. Outlines federal coordination allowed by the PHE and highlights recent successes in decreasing overdose deaths.

Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Mar 17, 2025 -

The Department of Labor is seeking comments on an information collection regarding continued COVID-19 recordkeeping and reporting for healthcare employees including the utility, validity, and method of the data gathering. Comments are due by April 16, 2025.

Source: Federal Register
Mar 14, 2025 - Notice from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) revising and restating the Statement of Organization, Functions, and Delegations of Authority for the HHS Office of the General Counsel (OGC). Among other things, this notice creates the position of Chief Counsel for Food, Research, and Drugs, and consolidates the number of regional offices.
Source: Federal Register
Mar 13, 2025 - Notice from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) announcing the adjusted income eligibility guidelines for free and reduced-price meals and free milk through the National School Lunch Program (and Commodity School Program), School Breakfast Program, Special Milk Program for Children, Child and Adult Care Food Program, Summer Food Service Program, and Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer for Children Program. These guidelines are applicable from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Mar 12, 2025 - 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 Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to verify the eligibility of applicants and subscribers to Lifeline and the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). These programs are designed to facilitate and support access to affordable broadband services for low-income consumers and families. Comments are due by April 11, 2025.
Source: Federal Register