Rural Health
News by Topic: Service delivery models
DOD: Modifications to the Reimbursement of Childbirth Support Services Under the TRICARE Childbirth and Breastfeeding Support Demonstration
Federal Register
Jan 29, 2026 - Notice from the Department of Defense (DOD) Director of the Defense Health Agency (DHA) announcing adjustments to the certified labor doulas (CLDs) performing childbirth support services under the Childbirth and Breastfeeding Support Demonstration (CBSD). This notice announces changes to the reimbursement methodology for childbirth support services intended to stabilize reimbursement of certified. DHA is modifying reimbursement for childbirth support services so that the rate approved for March 1, 2025, will be considered a "baseline." The DHA Director will approve a new baseline if it is found that TRICARE reimbursement is not keeping pace with Medicaid reimbursement. The new reimbursement methodology will be effective for rates beginning March 1, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Jan 28, 2026 - Highlights new funding for a mobile health clinic designed to expand access to healthcare in rural New York and support training healthcare workers.
Source: St. Bonaventure University News & Events
Jan 25, 2026 - Highlights the Mobile Prosthetic and Orthotic Care (MoPOC) truck, a mobile unit from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) with support from the VA's Office of Rural Health bringing prosthetic and orthotic care to rural veterans in Texas.
Source: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Jan 20, 2026 - The Choctaw Nation is using a $2 million Department of Transportation grant to develop a drone program designed to improve health care delivery in rural areas. Airborne drones and a "drone dog" can make quick deliveries and provide critical services in remote regions.
Source: KOCO News
Jan 14, 2026 - Pre-publication notice from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announcing a virtual tribal consultation on the January 21, 2021, notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) titled "Proposed Modifications to the HIPAA Privacy Rule To Support, and Remove Barriers to, Coordinated Care and Individual Engagement." The NPRM intends to strengthen individuals' rights to access their own protected health information, improve care coordination, and reduce administrative burdens on HIPAA covered health care providers and health plans, while continuing to protect individuals' health information privacy interests. The tribal consultation will be held on February 6, 2026, from 2:00 – 3:30 p.m. Eastern. Registration is required.
Source: Federal Register
Jan 14, 2026 - Describes various rural healthcare-focused investments across Oklahoma. Discusses long-term investment strategies, telehealth, workforce training and retention, cancer care access, and preventive care.
Source: News 9
Jan 12, 2026 - Highlights volunteer-driven clinics in rural Nevada communities that increase access to medical services and give medical students hands on experience. Discusses rural-specific challenges in providing and accessing healthcare, mobile healthcare services, and retaining students to practice in rural communities.
Source: Nevada Today
Jan 12, 2026 - Describes increasing rates of suicide among children between 10 and 17 in Tennessee and highlights a program being expanded into rural communities to address the crisis. Notes rural-specific issues driving poor outcomes including stigma and less mental healthcare access. Discusses telehealth and school-based services as opportunities to improve outcomes.
Source: WJHL
Jan 10, 2026 - Highlights a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs mobile mammography unit in rural Tennessee. Describes the benefits for rural veterans in improving access to both preventive and follow-up care.
Source: VA News
Jan 3, 2026 - Describes the disparate risk for suicide among rural farmers and offers recommendations for addressing that risk including telemedicine, farming support, developing hobbies, and more. Includes Iowa-focused resources for farmers.
Source: Iowa Capital Dispatch