Skip to main content
Rural Health Information Hub
Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
News by Topic: Populations

Jul 16, 2026 - The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is seeking comments on the following information collections: 1) CHIP State Plan Eligibility; 2) Model Application Template and Instructions for State Child Health Plan Under Title XXI of the Social Security Act, State Children's Health Insurance Program; 3) Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Quality Measure Set (QMS) Reporting; 4) Medicaid State Plan Eligibility; 5) Health Home State Plan Amendment (SPA); 6) Child and Adult Core Set Measures; and 7) Health Home Core Sets. Comments are due July 30, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Jul 16, 2026 - Announces the annual adjustments to the federal and state funding levels and reimbursement rates for the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs and the reimbursement rates for institutions participating in the Special Milk Program for Children. Updated rates are effective from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027.
Source: Federal Register
Jul 15, 2026 - Announces the new Indigenous Data Sovereignty Policy, believed to be the first in the nation to formalize how tribal health data is managed between the government and tribal nations. Describes how the policy will be rolled out in phases as well as how the policy was created collaboratively between the state and tribal nations.
Source: KVOA
Jul 15, 2026 - Highlights the work of a Milwaukee Veteran's Administration employee to address access to vision services for veterans, particularly those in rural areas. Notes that national statistics show low-vision service utilization is low.
Source: VA Milwaukee Health Care Stories
Jul 14, 2026 - Discusses an increase in cases of alpha-gal syndrome in Missouri, particularly among rural residents and farmers. Notes proposed legislation that aims to improve tracking of positive cases in the state.
Source: Farm Progress: Missouri Ruralist
Jul 13, 2026 - Announcement from the Department of the Interior (DOI) Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) of forthcoming funding and grant application information for the Native American Technology and Manufacturing Grant Pilot Program—(IGNITE: Indigenous Growth in New & Innovative Trade Employment) program. Funding will support tribal workforce development strategies in construction and infrastructure trades as well as emerging technology sectors. Projects may include housing, roads, utilities, and community infrastructure projects such as structural steel, rebar, bridges, buildings, and infrastructure projects. A notice of funding opportunity will be released on the BIA-OIS website.
Source: Federal Register
Jul 13, 2026 - Describes the outcomes of a mini-grant to 9 state rural health associations for e-newsletter and social media information dissemination campaigns focused on rural older adults for Older Americans Month in May 2026. Discusses implementation challenges and the impact of the funding.
Source: National Rural Health Association
Jul 11, 2026 - Discusses the risk of grain bin incidents on farms, noting that fatality rates remain high despite increased training for first responders. Highlights safety equipment and policy measures that can prevent deaths.
Source: Nebraska Examiner
Jul 10, 2026 - Notice from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) seeking comments on an information collection request titled "Healthy Start Evaluation and Quality Improvement, OMB No. 0915-0338—Revision." Proposed revisions include changes to clarifying instructions, updating response options to replace obsolete categories, separating response options to better reflect current program priorities, and adding fields to capture the month of infant birth and/or death. Comments are due by September 8, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Jul 10, 2026 - Describes the Idaho Community Resource Network, a statewide partnership of government and community groups that work to connect families to resources such as rental assistance, childcare, food assistance, and other similar human services with the goal of keeping children out of the foster care system. Discusses the partnership with United Way to make up-to-date information more accessible, particularly for rural residents.
Source: Idaho Capital Sun