Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Access
Drug Use and Social Connectivity Related to Hepatitis C Infection Among Rural People Who Use Drugs
Presents a study on the levels of social connectivity of rural people who use drugs (PWUDs) that correlate hepatitis C virus (HCV) positivity. Explores data by demographic characteristics, and measurements of social connectivity, such as currently seeing a primary care provider, past substance use treatment, and access to transportation, among other measures.
Author(s): Alex Rains, Ellen Almirol, William Nicholson, et al.
Citation: Journal of Viral Hepatitis, 33(7), e70200
Date: 06/2026
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Presents a study on the levels of social connectivity of rural people who use drugs (PWUDs) that correlate hepatitis C virus (HCV) positivity. Explores data by demographic characteristics, and measurements of social connectivity, such as currently seeing a primary care provider, past substance use treatment, and access to transportation, among other measures.
Author(s): Alex Rains, Ellen Almirol, William Nicholson, et al.
Citation: Journal of Viral Hepatitis, 33(7), e70200
Date: 06/2026
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Hospital Closures Increase Emergency Care Travel Time: Rural-Urban Disparities
Examines the relationship between travel time to emergency care and hospital closures. Utilizes data from 2012-2023 hospital closures in Texas and analyzes 6,883 census tracts according to travel time to the nearest and second nearest emergency department (ED), with additional breakdowns by population characteristics and geographic categories of metro, micro, small town, or rural.
Author(s): Huiwen Zheng, Scott Horel, Christine Crudo Blackburn
Citation: INQUIRY: The Journal of Health Care Organization, Provision, and Financing, 63
Date: 06/2026
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Examines the relationship between travel time to emergency care and hospital closures. Utilizes data from 2012-2023 hospital closures in Texas and analyzes 6,883 census tracts according to travel time to the nearest and second nearest emergency department (ED), with additional breakdowns by population characteristics and geographic categories of metro, micro, small town, or rural.
Author(s): Huiwen Zheng, Scott Horel, Christine Crudo Blackburn
Citation: INQUIRY: The Journal of Health Care Organization, Provision, and Financing, 63
Date: 06/2026
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Timely Adjuvant Therapy in Head and Neck Cancer: Barriers and Facilitators in Rural Care
Examines initiation delays of postoperative radiotherapy (PORT) following surgery in rural patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Utilizes qualitative data from patients, caregivers, and staff at 2 rural New England cancer center clinics and discusses barriers and facilitators of PORT, such as communication, caregiver support, healthcare access, leveraging rural resources and culture, and more.
Author(s): Garrett T. Wasp, Shahed Khudaier, Olivia Siroonian, et al.
Citation: JAMA Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery, 152(6), 569-577
Date: 06/2026
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Examines initiation delays of postoperative radiotherapy (PORT) following surgery in rural patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Utilizes qualitative data from patients, caregivers, and staff at 2 rural New England cancer center clinics and discusses barriers and facilitators of PORT, such as communication, caregiver support, healthcare access, leveraging rural resources and culture, and more.
Author(s): Garrett T. Wasp, Shahed Khudaier, Olivia Siroonian, et al.
Citation: JAMA Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery, 152(6), 569-577
Date: 06/2026
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MedPAC Report to the Congress: Medicare and the Health Care Delivery System, June 2026
Evaluates Medicare payment issues and provides recommendations to the U.S. Congress. Covers payment incentives in Medicare, the complexity of Medicare enrollment decisions for beneficiaries, Medicare payment operations and their role in identifying improper payments, the estimated association between Medicare Advantage (MA) enrollment and hospitals' and post-acute care providers' finances, and access to hospice and certain complex palliative services for beneficiaries with end-stage renal disease or cancer. Includes a mandated report regarding the Medicare Ground Ambulance Data Collection System. Includes rural references throughout.
Additional links: Executive Summary
Date: 06/2026
Sponsoring organization: Medicare Payment Advisory Commission
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Evaluates Medicare payment issues and provides recommendations to the U.S. Congress. Covers payment incentives in Medicare, the complexity of Medicare enrollment decisions for beneficiaries, Medicare payment operations and their role in identifying improper payments, the estimated association between Medicare Advantage (MA) enrollment and hospitals' and post-acute care providers' finances, and access to hospice and certain complex palliative services for beneficiaries with end-stage renal disease or cancer. Includes a mandated report regarding the Medicare Ground Ambulance Data Collection System. Includes rural references throughout.
Additional links: Executive Summary
Date: 06/2026
Sponsoring organization: Medicare Payment Advisory Commission
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Report to Congress on Medicaid and CHIP, June 2026
Semi-annual report to Congress from the Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission (MACPAC). Covers recommendations related to community engagement (CE) requirements in Medicaid, automation in prior authorization, Medicaid managed care accountability, appropriate access to residential treatment services for Medicaid-enrolled youth, transitions to adult Medicaid coverage for children and youth with special health care needs (CYSHCN), the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE), and provider enrollment and credentialing in Medicaid. Includes rural references throughout.
Date: 06/2026
Sponsoring organization: Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission
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Semi-annual report to Congress from the Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission (MACPAC). Covers recommendations related to community engagement (CE) requirements in Medicaid, automation in prior authorization, Medicaid managed care accountability, appropriate access to residential treatment services for Medicaid-enrolled youth, transitions to adult Medicaid coverage for children and youth with special health care needs (CYSHCN), the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE), and provider enrollment and credentialing in Medicaid. Includes rural references throughout.
Date: 06/2026
Sponsoring organization: Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission
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How Has Insurer Participation in the ACA Marketplaces Changed in 2026?
Presents data on health insurer participation in the ACA Marketplace, including the average number of ACA Marketplace insurers by state between 2014 and 2026. Includes interactive maps displaying state- and county-level data on the number of participating Marketplace insurers in 2026 and the change in the number of insurers between 2025 and 2026.
Author(s): Jared Ortaliza, Justin Lo, Matt McGough, Cynthia Cox
Date: 06/2026
Sponsoring organization: KFF
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Presents data on health insurer participation in the ACA Marketplace, including the average number of ACA Marketplace insurers by state between 2014 and 2026. Includes interactive maps displaying state- and county-level data on the number of participating Marketplace insurers in 2026 and the change in the number of insurers between 2025 and 2026.
Author(s): Jared Ortaliza, Justin Lo, Matt McGough, Cynthia Cox
Date: 06/2026
Sponsoring organization: KFF
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Supporting Rural Older Adults in Home and Community-Based Settings: Perspectives from Area Agencies on Aging
Explores the needs of older adults living in rural communities who are homebound. Presents findings and themes from a July 2025 listening session with representatives from rural-serving Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) from five states regarding challenges serving rural older adults who are homebound.
Author(s): Katie Rydberg, Jessica Machler, Megan Lahr, Carrie Henning-Smith
Date: 06/2026
Sponsoring organization: University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
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Explores the needs of older adults living in rural communities who are homebound. Presents findings and themes from a July 2025 listening session with representatives from rural-serving Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) from five states regarding challenges serving rural older adults who are homebound.
Author(s): Katie Rydberg, Jessica Machler, Megan Lahr, Carrie Henning-Smith
Date: 06/2026
Sponsoring organization: University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
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Marriage and Family Therapist and Mental Health Counselor Workforces in Rural America Under New Medicare Reimbursement Policy
Describes how Medicare reimbursement expanded to cover marriage and family therapists (MFTs) and mental health counselors (MHCs) in January 2024. Examines the change in Medicare-enrolled MFTs and MHCs between the third quarter (Q3) of 2023 and fourth quarter (Q4) of 2024. Presents findings from semi-structured interviews with rural health system and mental health organization leaders regarding practice arrangements, the perceived impacts of MFT and MHC reimbursement, barriers to serving rural Medicare beneficiaries, and considerations for future policies.
Author(s): Janessa M. Graves, Natalia V. Oster, Lisa A. Garberson, Davis G. Patterson, C. Holly A. Andrilla
Date: 06/2026
Sponsoring organization: WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
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Describes how Medicare reimbursement expanded to cover marriage and family therapists (MFTs) and mental health counselors (MHCs) in January 2024. Examines the change in Medicare-enrolled MFTs and MHCs between the third quarter (Q3) of 2023 and fourth quarter (Q4) of 2024. Presents findings from semi-structured interviews with rural health system and mental health organization leaders regarding practice arrangements, the perceived impacts of MFT and MHC reimbursement, barriers to serving rural Medicare beneficiaries, and considerations for future policies.
Author(s): Janessa M. Graves, Natalia V. Oster, Lisa A. Garberson, Davis G. Patterson, C. Holly A. Andrilla
Date: 06/2026
Sponsoring organization: WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
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Medicaid Home- and Community-Based Services Rebalancing Is Concentrated in Large Urban Areas
Compares rural and urban utilization of home and community-based services among Medicaid long-term services and supports users, using 2022 Transformed Medicaid Statistical Information System data sourced through an ATI Advisory LTSS user dashboard. Analyzes rural-urban disparities in access by level of rurality and by state.
Author(s): Emmaline Keesee, Laura M. Keohane
Citation: The Journal of the Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medical Association, 27(6), 106208
Date: 06/2026
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Compares rural and urban utilization of home and community-based services among Medicaid long-term services and supports users, using 2022 Transformed Medicaid Statistical Information System data sourced through an ATI Advisory LTSS user dashboard. Analyzes rural-urban disparities in access by level of rurality and by state.
Author(s): Emmaline Keesee, Laura M. Keohane
Citation: The Journal of the Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medical Association, 27(6), 106208
Date: 06/2026
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Impact and Opportunities for Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics in Rural Communities
Examines ways in which Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs) are improving access to and quality of care in rural areas. Highlights opportunities and strategies for CCBHCs to fill service gaps in rural areas and to meet or exceed program requirements.
Author(s): Renee Boak
Date: 06/2026
Sponsoring organization: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
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Examines ways in which Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs) are improving access to and quality of care in rural areas. Highlights opportunities and strategies for CCBHCs to fill service gaps in rural areas and to meet or exceed program requirements.
Author(s): Renee Boak
Date: 06/2026
Sponsoring organization: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
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