Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Healthcare business and finance
Federal Policy Priorities to Strengthen Rural Health and Maximize Rural Health Transformation Program Investments
Presents policy recommendations for Congressional and CMS actions to bolster rural health and ensure Rural Health Transformation Program investments are transparent, durable, and effective. Covers recommendations related to telehealth and health information technology investments, the rural healthcare workforce, and rural hospital programs and eligibility.
Author(s): Daisy Kim, Maya Sandalow
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organization: Bipartisan Policy Center
view details
Presents policy recommendations for Congressional and CMS actions to bolster rural health and ensure Rural Health Transformation Program investments are transparent, durable, and effective. Covers recommendations related to telehealth and health information technology investments, the rural healthcare workforce, and rural hospital programs and eligibility.
Author(s): Daisy Kim, Maya Sandalow
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organization: Bipartisan Policy Center
view details
Washington's Health Workforce Sentinel Network Findings Brief: Small Hospitals, Spring 2026
Reports on workforce and facility-related challenges at Washington's acute care hospitals using April/May 2026 survey data. Discusses workforce supply and retention at rural facilities.
Date: 07/2026
Sponsoring organizations: The Health Workforce Sentinel Network, UW Center for Health Workforce Studies
view details
Reports on workforce and facility-related challenges at Washington's acute care hospitals using April/May 2026 survey data. Discusses workforce supply and retention at rural facilities.
Date: 07/2026
Sponsoring organizations: The Health Workforce Sentinel Network, UW Center for Health Workforce Studies
view details
Washington's Health Workforce Sentinel Network Findings Brief: Rural Health Clinics, Spring 2026
Reports on workforce and facility-related challenges at Rural Health Clinics in Washington using April/May 2026 survey data. Discusses causes of workforce supply and retention issues, facility-level challenges and planning, healthcare pathway and career-development programs, and AI use.
Date: 07/2026
Sponsoring organizations: The Health Workforce Sentinel Network, UW Center for Health Workforce Studies
view details
Reports on workforce and facility-related challenges at Rural Health Clinics in Washington using April/May 2026 survey data. Discusses causes of workforce supply and retention issues, facility-level challenges and planning, healthcare pathway and career-development programs, and AI use.
Date: 07/2026
Sponsoring organizations: The Health Workforce Sentinel Network, UW Center for Health Workforce Studies
view details
The Power of Partnerships: Health Centers & Rural Hospitals
Presents case studies describing partnerships between health centers and rural hospitals in New Hampshire, North Dakota, and Pennsylvania that aim to strengthen access, improve outcomes, and build long-term sustainability. Identifies key themes and actionable strategies that can be adapted across rural communities.
Date: 07/2026
Sponsoring organization: National Association of Community Health Centers
view details
Presents case studies describing partnerships between health centers and rural hospitals in New Hampshire, North Dakota, and Pennsylvania that aim to strengthen access, improve outcomes, and build long-term sustainability. Identifies key themes and actionable strategies that can be adapted across rural communities.
Date: 07/2026
Sponsoring organization: National Association of Community Health Centers
view details
Geographical Access to Preferred Pharmacies in Medicare Part D
Analyzes access to preferred pharmacies in Medicare Part D prescription drug plans (PDPs) and Medicare Advantage PDPs (MAPDs). Utilizes multiple data sources to examine the nearest preferred pharmacy in MAPDs and stand-alone PDPs across rural and urban ZIP Code Tabulation Areas (ZCTAs). Discusses geographic disparities related to PDP and MAPD access.
Author(s): Pinka Chatterji, Yiran Han, Chun-Yu Ho
Citation: The American Journal of Managed Care, 32, 7
Date: 07/2026
view details
Analyzes access to preferred pharmacies in Medicare Part D prescription drug plans (PDPs) and Medicare Advantage PDPs (MAPDs). Utilizes multiple data sources to examine the nearest preferred pharmacy in MAPDs and stand-alone PDPs across rural and urban ZIP Code Tabulation Areas (ZCTAs). Discusses geographic disparities related to PDP and MAPD access.
Author(s): Pinka Chatterji, Yiran Han, Chun-Yu Ho
Citation: The American Journal of Managed Care, 32, 7
Date: 07/2026
view details
Report to the Secretary of Health and Human Services: Improving Multi-Payer Alignment in Value-Based Care
Summarizes findings from the Physician-Focused Payment Model Technical Advisory Committee's (PTAC) review of information on improving multi-payer alignment in value-based care. Describes key issues and characteristics related to improving multi-payer alignment in value-based care from proposals that have previously been submitted to PTAC. Includes rural references and considerations throughout.
Date: 07/2026
Sponsoring organization: HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation
view details
Summarizes findings from the Physician-Focused Payment Model Technical Advisory Committee's (PTAC) review of information on improving multi-payer alignment in value-based care. Describes key issues and characteristics related to improving multi-payer alignment in value-based care from proposals that have previously been submitted to PTAC. Includes rural references and considerations throughout.
Date: 07/2026
Sponsoring organization: HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation
view details
Rural Clinically Integrated Network Readiness Assessment Tool
Self-assessment tool designed to help rural healthcare organizations evaluate their readiness for participation in a clinically integrated network (CIN) and identify strategic considerations and opportunities for successful CIN participation.
Date: 07/2026
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Value
view details
Self-assessment tool designed to help rural healthcare organizations evaluate their readiness for participation in a clinically integrated network (CIN) and identify strategic considerations and opportunities for successful CIN participation.
Date: 07/2026
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Value
view details
Collaboration to Contracting: A Guide to Rural Clinically Integrated Networks
Identifies 5 pillars of successful rural clinically integrated network (CIN) development. Covers legal matters, governance, care delivery, data infrastructure, and financial sustainability. Includes action steps for administrators of CINs.
Date: 07/2026
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Value
view details
Identifies 5 pillars of successful rural clinically integrated network (CIN) development. Covers legal matters, governance, care delivery, data infrastructure, and financial sustainability. Includes action steps for administrators of CINs.
Date: 07/2026
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Value
view details
Health Care Access, Preventive Care, and Affordability Among Rural Adults With Cardiometabolic Conditions: Medicare Advantage Versus Traditional Medicare
Examines the differences in healthcare experiences for rural adults with cardiometabolic conditions who are enrolled in Medicare Advantage (MA) versus traditional Medicare. Utilizes 2021-2022 Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey data from 4,274 rural beneficiaries and analyzes MA versus traditional Medicare coverage related to issues such as healthcare access, preventive care, and affordability.
Author(s): Nicholas Chiu, Andrew Oseran, Archana P. Tale, Rishi K. Wadhera
Citation: Journal of the American Heart Association, 15, 15
Date: 07/2026
view details
Examines the differences in healthcare experiences for rural adults with cardiometabolic conditions who are enrolled in Medicare Advantage (MA) versus traditional Medicare. Utilizes 2021-2022 Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey data from 4,274 rural beneficiaries and analyzes MA versus traditional Medicare coverage related to issues such as healthcare access, preventive care, and affordability.
Author(s): Nicholas Chiu, Andrew Oseran, Archana P. Tale, Rishi K. Wadhera
Citation: Journal of the American Heart Association, 15, 15
Date: 07/2026
view details
Calendar Year 2026 Medicare Promoting Interoperability Program Guide for Eligible Hospitals and Critical Access Hospitals
Provides an overview of the requirements of the Medicare Promoting Interoperability Program for calendar year 2026. Covers information about participation requirements, measures, data submission, and helpful resources.
Additional links: Infographic
Date: 07/2026
Sponsoring organizations: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Health Services Advisory Group
view details
Provides an overview of the requirements of the Medicare Promoting Interoperability Program for calendar year 2026. Covers information about participation requirements, measures, data submission, and helpful resources.
Additional links: Infographic
Date: 07/2026
Sponsoring organizations: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Health Services Advisory Group
view details