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Rural Health Information Hub
Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
News by Topic: Policy

Dec 16, 2025 - A call for papers for a special issue of the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. Papers should discuss innovation in rural healthcare delivery including topics such as workforce, capacity building, policy, tribal communities, technology, and anything else related to regional, rural, and remote health. The deadline to submit a manuscript is May 1, 2026.
Source: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Dec 15, 2025 - The Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) is seeking comments on an information collection regarding modifications to multiple forms used for management of the Health Center Program. Comments are due February 13, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Dec 15, 2025 - The National Institutes of Health is seeking comments on an information collection regarding usability testing for NIH communication and education resources. Comments will receive full consideration if received within 60 days of this notice.
Source: Federal Register
Dec 12, 2025 - Highlights proposed legislation that would support the recruitment and retention of tribal law enforcement, increase resources for federal missing persons, and give Native communities and states new tools to respond to violence. The legislation has passed the Senate and will next to the House of Representatives.
Source: Office of Senator John Hoeven
Dec 12, 2025 - Notice of final rule from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Business-Cooperative Service (RBS), Rural Housing Service (RHS), and Rural Utilities Service (RUS) confirming the September 30, 2024, final rule with comment period making revisions to the policy and procedures to strengthen oversight and management of the growing Community Facilities (CF), Water and Waste Disposal (WWD), Business and Industry (B&I), and Rural Energy for America (REAP) guarantee portfolios. This rule also responds to comments received in response to the final rule. The final rule is effective and confirmed as of November 29, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Dec 11, 2025 - Notice of a proposed rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) updating and revising the Increasing Organ Transplant Access Model (IOTA Model) for Performance Year (PY) 2, which will begin on July 1, 2026. The IOTA Model tests whether performance-based upside risk payments or downside risk payments paid to or owed by participating kidney transplant hospitals increase access to kidney transplants for patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) while preserving or enhancing the quality of care and reducing Medicare expenditures. Comments are due by February 9, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Dec 11, 2025 - Notice from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Business-Cooperative Service (RBS), Rural Housing Service (RHS), and Rural Utilities Service (RUS) making corrections to the September 30, 2024, final rule. This rule is effective December 11, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Dec 10, 2025 - Notice from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) seeking comments on updates to the Uniform Data System (UDS) for performance year 2026. Updates include changes to patient-level reporting and tables on selected diagnoses and services rendered, quality of care measures, health outcomes, patient service revenue, and more. Comments are due by February 9, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Dec 10, 2025 - Describes the impact of new Arkansas legislation which will see 75 community health workers (CHWs) trained. Notes that CHW have had an impact in rural communities with less access to healthcare. Discusses recent CHW training initiatives across the state.
Dec 9, 2025 - The Office of Inspector General (OIG) in the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) requests proposals and recommendations for developing new or modifying existing safe harbor provisions of the Federal anti-kickback statute or Special Fraud Alerts. Criteria for modifying and establishing safe harbor provisions or Special Fraud Alerts include the extent to which the proposal impacts access to healthcare, the ability of healthcare facilities to serve medically underserved patients, and more. Comments are due February 9, 2026.
Source: Federal Register