Rural Health
News by Topic: Wellness, health promotion, and disease prevention
VA: Exempting Whole Health Well-Being Services From Copayment
Federal Register
Nov 21, 2025 - Notice from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) withdrawing the January 3, 2025, proposed rule titled "Exempting Whole Health Well-Being Services From Copayment." This withdrawal is applicable on November 21, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 19, 2025 - Describes rural health disparities in Tennessee and nationally. Highlights one Federally Qualified Health Center's prescription delivery program that also offers healthcare counseling and assistance with unmet social needs for rural older adults in Tennessee to address those disparities.
Source: America's Health Rankings News
Nov 18, 2025 - Highlights the work of various nonprofits in Ohio offering support to rural residents in need of human services, experiencing poverty, and with limited healthcare access. Describes disparities experienced by Appalachian Ohio.
Source: Soapbox Cincinnati
Nov 18, 2025 - A rural Vermont mental health urgent care facility has expanded services to offer overnight beds. It is the first 24/7 walk-in mental health urgent care facility in the state and is intended to relieve area emergency rooms as well as offer care close to home. Describes the facility's place in the mental healthcare intervention space, how the program has been funded, outcomes for prior patients, services offered, and sustainability.
Source: VT Digger
Nov 13, 2025 - Discusses the importance of caregiving in American Indian and Alaska Native communities as well as challenges faced by caregivers. Highlights Indian Health Service programs and resources for caregivers and offers tips for supporting caregivers in the community.
Source: Indian Health Service
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 11, 2025 - Describes a new service for rural Wisconsin veterans due to a partnership between a clinic and the Veterans Administration (VA). The Veteran Services Care Coordinator Program offers coordinators to help veterans navigate VA programs.
Source: WSAW
Nov 6, 2025 - Highlights a food as medicine program at a rural Washington Critical Access Hospital, describing implementation and a focus on prevention to improve health outcomes. The program won the National Rural Health Association's 2025 Outstanding Rural Health Program award.
Source: National Rural Health Association
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
Nov 5, 2025 - Offers data showing rural and urban differences in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) incidence and factors contributing to those higher rates. Discusses smoking, occupational hazards, access to healthcare, and social determinants of health. Notes effective approaches for overcoming these contributors to COPD.
Source: Loma Linda University Health News