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Rural Health Information Hub
Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
News by Topic: Populations

Aug 5, 2026 - Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) seeking comments on the re-establishment of a matching program between CMS and the Department of War titled "Verification of Eligibility for Minimum Essential Coverage Under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act through a Department of War Health Benefits Plan." CMS will share data from the Department of War with state administering entities (AEs) to verify if an applicant is enrolled in Minimum Essential Coverage in a Veterans Health Administration Health Care Program. This information from the Department of War will be used to assist CMS and AEs in determining if an individual is eligible for financial assistance. Comments are due by September 4, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Aug 5, 2026 - Notice from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) seeking comments on forms related to the VA Health Professional Scholarship Program (HPSP) and Visual Impairment and Orientation and Mobility Professionals Scholarship Program (VIOMPSP). The information collected is used for VA to determine an applicant's eligibility to receive a scholarship award and compliance with program requirements. Comments are due by September 4, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Aug 4, 2026 - Announces awarded funding for staff quarters project to support the healthcare workforce in tribal communities. Notes that living facilities can improve healthcare workforce recruiting and retaining efforts for the benefit of tribal communities.
Source: Indian Health Service
Aug 4, 2026 - Summarizes recent research finding that the first 5 years of the Veterans Affairs Clinical Resource Hubs program saw increased use of telemental health services among rural veterans. The study also found a shift in care delivery from clinic-based video visits to video visits in patients' homes.
Source: VA Health Systems Research News
Aug 3, 2026 - Highlights a new medical center opening between Oklahoma City and a tribal reservation. The medical center is intended to bring healthcare services closer to Chickasaw Nation. The facility will include inpatient care, surgical services, labor and delivery, dental care, a pharmacy, research space, and more.
Source: KOSU, NPR
Jul 31, 2026 - Notice of final rule from the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) amending the following to eliminate unnecessary or obsolete regulations: 1) Grants to States for Public Assistance Programs, 2) General Administration—State Plans and Grant Appeals, 3) General Administration—Public Assistance Programs, 4) Training and Use of Subprofessionals and Volunteers, 5) Coverage and Conditions of Eligibility in Financial Assistance Programs, 6) Financial Assistance to Individuals, 7) Administration of Financial Assistance Programs, 8) Fiscal Administration of Financial Assistance Programs, 9) General Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Provisions, 10) Ensuring That Recipients Work, 11) the Accountability Provisions—General, 12) Expenditures of State and Federal TANF Funds, 13) Other Accountability Provisions, 14) Data Collection and Reporting Requirements, 15) High Performance Bonus Awards, 16) the Implementation of Section 403(a)(2) of the Social Security Act Bonus to Reward Decrease in Illegitimacy Ratio, 17) Methodology for Determining Whether an Increase in a State or Territory's Child Poverty Rate Is the Result of the TANF Program, 18) Tribal TANF Provisions, and 19) The Native Employment Works (NEW) Program. This rule is effective September 29, 2026.
Source: Federal Register