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Rural Health Information Hub
Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
News by Topic: Service delivery models

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
Jan 2, 2026 - Announces that the COVID-19 public health emergency telemedicine flexibilities have been extended until December 31, 2026. Notes that the flexibility increases access to prescriptions for controlled medications for rural residents and others.
Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Dec 31, 2025 - The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is issuing a temporary rule to extend certain exceptions to existing DEA regulations implemented in March 2020 because of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (COVID-19 PHE). The full set of telemedicine flexibilities regarding the prescription of controlled medications that were in place during the COVID-19 PHE as outlined in the Third Temporary Rule will remain in place through December 31, 2026. This rule is effective January 1, 2026, through December 31, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Dec 23, 2025 - Notice of a request for information on what the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services can do to accelerate the adoption and use of artificial intelligence (AI) in clinical care. Feedback is requested on how the technology can be most effectively applied, to foster public trust, to reduce uncertainty that impedes innovation, and align federal incentives to deploy AI in a way that enhances productivity, reduces burden, lowers healthcare costs, and improves health outcomes. Comments will be used to inform regulations, reimbursement, and research and development. Comments are due by February 23, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Dec 19, 2025 - Highlights a visit from Tennessee state officials to the University of Tennessee Health Science Center. Discusses recent and upcoming rural-focused projects at the Center in addition to facility updates. The projects will expand access to healthcare and advance cancer research.
Source: UTHSC News
Dec 17, 2025 - Highlights a program supporting rural Michigan chronically-ill patients and their families with healthcare needs and daily living.
Source: Michigan Health & Hospital Association
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 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 10, 2025 - Announces the expansion of a rural pediatric health networking and collaboration initiative in Georgia aiming to support access to pediatric healthcare. The program includes both a physician training and consultation component as well as specialty telehealth component to allow rural children to receive healthcare in their communities. Discusses scholarship opportunities to increase the pediatric health workforce and plans to continue expanding this program.
Source: The Den
Dec 5, 2025 - Some mobile clinics in Michigan have been upgraded to include satellite internet service. Describes how reliable internet facilitates access to healthcare for rural communities.
Source: CMU News