Rural Health
News by Topic: Telehealth
Sep 16, 2026 - Describes projects funded in the first round of Rural Health Transformation Program funding in South Carolina. Projects include equipment and facility upgrades, mobile healthcare, telehealth, and a rural health needs study. Highlights financial struggles for hospitals in rural South Carolina.
Source: South Carolina Daily Gazette
Sep 11, 2026 - Describes a remote patient monitoring program for pregnant and postpartum women in rural Mississippi. Discusses the impact of the program on detecting common health conditions, increasing health literacy, and addressing mental health as well as how clinicians use the data in healthcare provision.
Source: National Rural Health Association
Sep 6, 2026 - Highlights telehealth as a service delivery method for mental healthcare for rural veterans following a suicide attempt.
Source: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
FCC: Promoting Telehealth in Rural America
Federal Register
Aug 31, 2026 - Notice of proposed rule from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) seeking comments on possible Rural Health Care (RHC) Program improvements related to Telecommunications (Telecom) Program support calculations, RHC Program supported services, and RHC Program processes. Specifically, the FCC is interested in comments on the scope of the similar service and rural area comparability requirements, existing cost study method of determining rural telecommunications rates, a proposal to establish an eligible services list for the Rural Health Care (RHC) Program, and more. Comments are due by September 30, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Aug 27, 2026 - Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) funding of $55.7 million through the Telehealth, Health-Monitoring, and Response Innovation for Vital Expansion initiative and $93.6 million through the Promoting Access Coordination and Transformation priority. Arkansas is expected to receive approximately $1 billion in RHTP funding in the next five years.
Source: Office of Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders
Aug 20, 2026 - Summarizes discussions from a National Conference of State Legislatures convening regarding coordination between federal and state officials to address healthcare workforce shortages, rural healthcare access gaps, and maternal health needs. Discusses the Federally Qualified Health Center program and telehealth.
Source: National Conference of State Legislatures
Aug 7, 2026 - Announces guidance regarding rural telecommunication rates for the Rural Health Care Program through the Federal Communications Commission.
Source: Universal Service Administrative Co.
Related funding:
Rural Health Care Telecommunications (Telecom) Program
Aug 6, 2026 - Describes a telehealth pilot program in Montana to address rural child abuse by connecting rural providers with training, resources, and referrals to medical providers who have specialized training in child abuse care. Discusses the lifelong health, wellness, and economic challenges that can be avoided through early intervention.
Source: University of Montana News
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 - Describes a statewide program to add high-speed Internet portals in Oklahoma libraries. The portals will allow for telehealth appointments, job interviews, and more.
Source: KOSU, NPR