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Rural Health Information Hub

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

Dec 19, 2025 - Pre-publication 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 60 days after publication, scheduled for December 23, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Dec 16, 2025 - Highlights a presentation from a nurse educator on using artificial intelligence (AI) to improve patient health literacy. Notes that the technology could be useful for rural nurses working with limited resources.
Source: UAB School of Nursing News
Dec 16, 2025 - Highlights the Baseline Survey 2024 from the Regional Rural Development Centers, a collection of datasets exploring topics including household, business, and community well-being to better understand challenges faced by rural and urban communities. The survey included 18,596 respondents.
Source: North Central Regional Center for Rural Development
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 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
Dec 1, 2025 - Notice of a proposed rule from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) that would clarify and modify existing regulations impacting the deployment of wireless infrastructure with particular focus on state and local regulations. Comments are due December 31, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 24, 2025 - The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is seeking comment on the following information collections: 1) 13th SOW Quality Innovation Network—Quality Improvement Organization (QIN-QIO) and American Indian Alaskan Native (AIAN) Measure Data Collection; 2) Provider Directory Data for Medicare Plan Finder; and 3) CMS Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) Enrollment Registration, CMS EDI Enrollment Form, and CMS EDI Enrollment Attestation Form. Comments are due by January 23, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 19, 2025 - The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has waived a rule regarding rural rates for applicants of the Telecommunications Program of the Rural Health Care (RHC) Program for funding year 2026. Offers guidance on calculating rates.
Source: Universal Service Administrative Co.
Nov 12, 2025 - Summarizes discussions at a National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine webinar describing barriers and facilitators in accessing diagnostic care for rural residents. Highlights projects increasing access to primary and diagnostic care including school-based health centers, mobile units, telehealth, and artificial intelligence. Notes the connection between rural community investment and improving access to diagnostic care.
Source: National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine News
Nov 5, 2025 - The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid (CMS) announce that all 50 states applied for funding from the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP). RHTP goals include supporting rural health innovation, improving sustainability, workforce development, new models of care delivery, and expanding technology access and utilization. Funding decisions will be announced by December 31, 2025.
Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services