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Rural Health Information Hub
Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
News by Topic: Technology for health and human services

Mar 23, 2026 - Pre-publication notice of final rule from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) adopting standards for healthcare claims attachments transactions and a standard for electronic signatures to be used in conjunction with these transactions. This rule also summarizes and responds to comments received on the December 21, 2022, proposed rule. This final rule is effective 60 days after the publication of this notice, which is scheduled for March 24, 2026. Compliance with these regulations are required by May 26, 2028.
Source: Federal Register
Mar 22, 2026 - Describes a research initiative investigating how artificial intelligence and mobile clinics might be used to increase access to care in rural areas with workforce shortages. Highlights rural healthcare access disparities and implementation challenges related to broadband and patient privacy.
Source: The Independent Florida Alligator
Mar 19, 2026 - Summarizes conversations at the Rural Health Transformation Summit on March 18, 2026, a meeting of state officials, experts, and federal administrators to discuss implementation of the Rural Health Transformation Plan. Discusses state program alignment with RHTP's 5 strategic goals: Make Rural America Healthy Again, sustainable access, workforce development, innovative care, and tech innovation. Notes the role of the Office of Rural Health Transformation (ORHT) within the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid (CMS).
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Mar 17, 2026 - Highlights remarks and the results of a study from a Washington medical student comparing rural and urban experiences in surgical clerkship programs. Discusses robotic surgery as a solution to rural surgeon shortages.
Source: Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine News
Mar 12, 2026 - Notice from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) seeking comments on a new computer matching program between the FCC, the Universal Service Administrative Company, and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to verify the eligibility of applicants and subscribers to Lifeline and the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). These programs are designed to facilitate and support access to affordable broadband services for low-income consumers and families. Comments are due by April 13, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Mar 10, 2026 - Highlights a pilot program in a rural Missouri community offering a coordinated response to health and social needs for Medicaid patients. The program allows hospitals and other organizations to refer patients to service providers and track whether their needs are getting addressed. Describes how the program was started, the federal waiver that allows the program to run, and the technology used for it. Discusses sustainability challenges common for rural service providers.
Source: The Beacon: Missouri
Mar 9, 2026 - Summarizes comments from a HIMSS26 Healthcare Cybersecurity Forum discussing cybersecurity for rural hospitals. Covers topics including regional collaboration, communicating with facility administration, and cybersecurity workforce.
Source: Healthcare IT News
Mar 6, 2026 - A healthcare executive of a large rural healthcare network discusses use of artificial intelligence in healthcare for rural patients.
Feb 27, 2026 - Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) seeking stakeholder feedback on potential regulatory changes that may be included in a proposed rule regarding the Comprehensive Regulations to Uncover Suspicious Healthcare (CRUSH) initiative and to inform other programmatic changes that could be implemented to make CMS more effective in addressing fraud. Includes specific questions and topics of interest to CMS, including modifications to program integrity requirements, preventing fraudulent billing in Medicare Advantage, reducing fraudulent Medicare Parts A and B claim submissions, using artificial intelligence in MA coding oversight and billing, and more. Comments are by March 30, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Feb 25, 2026 - Notice from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) seeking comments on a new computer matching program between the FCC, the Universal Service Administrative Company, and the Puerto Rico Department of the Family to verify the eligibility of applicants and subscribers to Lifeline and the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). These programs are designed to facilitate and support access to affordable broadband services for low-income consumers and families. Comments are due by March 27, 2026.
Source: Federal Register