Rural Health
News by Topic: Tribal communities
IHS: Reimbursement Rates for Calendar Year 2026
Federal Register
Jan 22, 2026 - Notice from the Indian Health Service (IHS) announcing the calendar year 2026 reimbursement rates for inpatient and outpatient medical care provided by IHS facilities to Medicare, Medicaid, and other federal program beneficiaries. The updated rates apply to all qualifying services provided on or after January 1, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
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 7, 2026 - Discusses cancer outcomes for the American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) population and the work of a cancer center in Oklahoma to improve those outcomes. Describes the partnership between the center and 2 tribal nations to ensure tribal participation, inclusion of Indigenous knowledge, and prioritizing community needs.
Source: Open Access Government
Jan 7, 2026 - Describes the work being done to launch an Alaska-specific service for a national helpline for Native people experiencing domestic violence and sexual assault. Notes that rurality and high rates of intimate partner violence in the state make the service needed.
Source: Alaska Beacon
Jan 6, 2026 - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announces the availability of funds for grants under the Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) Program. The purpose of the SSVF Program is to provide supportive services grants to private non-profit organizations and consumer cooperatives who will coordinate or provide supportive services to very low-income Veteran families reside in or are scheduled to transition to permanent housing. For fiscal year 2027, the VA may award a renewal SSVF grant to existing grantees who received a grant award during FY 2026 to expand services to rural communities. Applications are due by February 19, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Related funding:
Supportive Services for Veteran Families Program
Dec 30, 2025 - Summarizes discussions between tribal leaders and the Indian Health Service (IHS) regarding impacts of proposed organizational changes in IHS. Topics discussed include protecting tribal participation at IHS, tribal sovereignty and data protection, workforce, access, and more.
Source: The Office of President Buu Van Nygren, The Navajo Nation
Dec 12, 2025 - Highlights proposed legislation that would support the recruitment and retention of tribal law enforcement, increase resources for federal missing persons, and give Native communities and states new tools to respond to violence. The legislation has passed the Senate and will next to the House of Representatives.
Source: Office of Senator John Hoeven
Dec 5, 2025 - Announces in-person and virtual Indian Health Service (IHS) consultations with tribal nations and urban Indian organizations to discuss proposed IHS realignment. Enclosures with more information on the proposed plan can be found on the IHS Tribal Leader Letters webpage. Comments may be submitted by February 6, 2026.
Source: Indian Health Service
Dec 2, 2025 - Announces that components of a 2024 regulation establishing federal requirements for nursing home staffing has been repealed. Discusses the burden that had been placed on rural and tribal facilities as a result of the rule.
Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services