Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Healthcare facilities
2010-2023 County-Level Hospital-Based Obstetric Care Status
County-level dataset containing the county Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS) code, county, state, and indicator of whether each county had hospital-based obstetrics care in years 2010-2023. Available for download as an XLS file.
Author(s): Julia D. Interrante, Emily C. Sheffield, Kevan O'Hanlon, Katy Kozhimannil
Date: 10/2025
Sponsoring organization: University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
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County-level dataset containing the county Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS) code, county, state, and indicator of whether each county had hospital-based obstetrics care in years 2010-2023. Available for download as an XLS file.
Author(s): Julia D. Interrante, Emily C. Sheffield, Kevan O'Hanlon, Katy Kozhimannil
Date: 10/2025
Sponsoring organization: University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
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An Enhanced Method for Identifying Hospital-Based Obstetric Unit Status, Version 2 with Addendum
Results of a study using data from American Hospital Association annual surveys from 2010-2018 to conduct single- and multi-year assessments of obstetric unit status and to identify closures of obstetric units. Compares results obtained through the enhanced method with results of a survey sample of rural hospitals with obstetric units open at the time of the assessment and those with recently closed units. Addendum describes methodology updates since a previously published January 2022 report as well as additional findings using 2010-2023 data.
Additional links: An Enhanced Method for Identifying Hospital-Based Obstetric Unit Status (Version 1, 2022)
Author(s): Julia D. Interrante, Caitlin Carroll, Emily C. Sheffield, et al.
Date: 10/2025
Sponsoring organization: University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
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Results of a study using data from American Hospital Association annual surveys from 2010-2018 to conduct single- and multi-year assessments of obstetric unit status and to identify closures of obstetric units. Compares results obtained through the enhanced method with results of a survey sample of rural hospitals with obstetric units open at the time of the assessment and those with recently closed units. Addendum describes methodology updates since a previously published January 2022 report as well as additional findings using 2010-2023 data.
Additional links: An Enhanced Method for Identifying Hospital-Based Obstetric Unit Status (Version 1, 2022)
Author(s): Julia D. Interrante, Caitlin Carroll, Emily C. Sheffield, et al.
Date: 10/2025
Sponsoring organization: University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
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Calendar Year (CY) 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Final Rule (CMS-1832-F)
Fact sheet providing an overview of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) final rule regarding updates and changes to the Medicare payments under the Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) and other Medicare Part B issues for calendar year 2026. Summarizes provisions related to telehealth services; improving care for chronic illness and behavioral health needs; Rural Health Clinic (RHC) and Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) care coordination services, services requiring direct supervision, and telecommunication services; and more.
Date: 10/2025
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
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Fact sheet providing an overview of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) final rule regarding updates and changes to the Medicare payments under the Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) and other Medicare Part B issues for calendar year 2026. Summarizes provisions related to telehealth services; improving care for chronic illness and behavioral health needs; Rural Health Clinic (RHC) and Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) care coordination services, services requiring direct supervision, and telecommunication services; and more.
Date: 10/2025
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
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The Evolving Role of Critical Access Hospitals in Rural Physician Training
Research letter examining prevalence of Critical Access Hospital (CAH)-based training and comparing CAHs with other rural teaching hospitals to evaluate potential for expansion. Features statistics on characteristics of training programs in CAHs and other rural teaching hospitals.
Author(s): Lori Rodefeld, Mukesh Adhikari, Catherine (Kasia) Horger, John Boll, Emily M. Hawes
Citation: JAMA Health Forum, 6(10), e254742
Date: 10/2025
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Research letter examining prevalence of Critical Access Hospital (CAH)-based training and comparing CAHs with other rural teaching hospitals to evaluate potential for expansion. Features statistics on characteristics of training programs in CAHs and other rural teaching hospitals.
Author(s): Lori Rodefeld, Mukesh Adhikari, Catherine (Kasia) Horger, John Boll, Emily M. Hawes
Citation: JAMA Health Forum, 6(10), e254742
Date: 10/2025
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State Telehealth Laws and Reimbursement Policies Report, Fall 2025
Provides an overview of state telehealth policies as of early September 2025. Covers Medicaid reimbursement, private payer laws, and professional requirements.
Additional links: Executive Summary, Infographic, State Summary Chart
Date: 10/2025
Sponsoring organization: Center for Connected Health Policy: The National Telehealth Policy Resource Center
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Provides an overview of state telehealth policies as of early September 2025. Covers Medicaid reimbursement, private payer laws, and professional requirements.
Additional links: Executive Summary, Infographic, State Summary Chart
Date: 10/2025
Sponsoring organization: Center for Connected Health Policy: The National Telehealth Policy Resource Center
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2025 Cybersecurity Year in Review, Part Two: Mitigating Third-Party Risk, Ensuring Clinical Continuity and Addressing AI Risk
Explains steps healthcare organizations should take to address cybersecurity risks. Discusses the need to prepare for interruption to services of 30 days or longer and the importance of focusing on clinical continuity. Also provides examples of how AI is being used in cyberattacks.
Author(s): John Riggi, Scott Gee
Date: 10/2025
Sponsoring organization: American Hospital Association
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Explains steps healthcare organizations should take to address cybersecurity risks. Discusses the need to prepare for interruption to services of 30 days or longer and the importance of focusing on clinical continuity. Also provides examples of how AI is being used in cyberattacks.
Author(s): John Riggi, Scott Gee
Date: 10/2025
Sponsoring organization: American Hospital Association
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National Outcomes of Increasing Cervical Cancer Screening in Federally Qualified Health Centers
Analyzes the population served by Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) in 2023 to determine the number of adults underscreened for cervical cancer and how improving screenings in FQHCs would impact meeting a Healthy People 2030 goal. Includes rural and urban comparisons in addition to other sociodemographic factors.
Author(s): Trisha L. Amboree, Prajakta Adsul, Haluk Damgacioglu, et al.
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 8(10)
Date: 10/2025
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Analyzes the population served by Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) in 2023 to determine the number of adults underscreened for cervical cancer and how improving screenings in FQHCs would impact meeting a Healthy People 2030 goal. Includes rural and urban comparisons in addition to other sociodemographic factors.
Author(s): Trisha L. Amboree, Prajakta Adsul, Haluk Damgacioglu, et al.
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 8(10)
Date: 10/2025
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Financial Challenges of Providing Obstetric Services at Rural US Hospitals
Presents a study on the financial challenges faced by rural hospitals operating obstetric units. Bases findings on survey data from hospital administrators detailing financial factors such as payer mix, fixed costs, and workforce, among other measures.
Author(s): C.E. Busse, K. O'Hanlon, K.B. Kozhimannil, J.D. Interrante
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 41(4), e70082
Date: 10/2025
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Presents a study on the financial challenges faced by rural hospitals operating obstetric units. Bases findings on survey data from hospital administrators detailing financial factors such as payer mix, fixed costs, and workforce, among other measures.
Author(s): C.E. Busse, K. O'Hanlon, K.B. Kozhimannil, J.D. Interrante
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 41(4), e70082
Date: 10/2025
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Rural Transformation Program State Legislative Resources
Provides an overview of the Rural Health Transformation Program, including how states approached seeking public input for the application. Describes how states have successfully implemented policies related to the allowable uses of Rural Health Transformation Program funds.
Date: 10/2025
Sponsoring organization: National Conference of State Legislatures
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Provides an overview of the Rural Health Transformation Program, including how states approached seeking public input for the application. Describes how states have successfully implemented policies related to the allowable uses of Rural Health Transformation Program funds.
Date: 10/2025
Sponsoring organization: National Conference of State Legislatures
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Application of MODIFI to the Adaptation of a Complex, Multilevel Intervention to Enhance Access to High-Quality Cancer Services in Rural Cancer Hospitals
Examines the process of applying the University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Center Affiliate Network (MCCAN) intervention, aimed at establishing high quality cancer care, to a rural hospital context in Iowa. Discusses the process of adapting MCCAN using the Making Optimal Decisions for Intervention Flexibility (MODIFI) approach and related modifications to the intervention.
Author(s): Mary C. Schroeder, Sarah A. Birken, Ingrid M. Lizarraga, et al.
Citation: Implementation Science Communications, 6, 105
Date: 10/2025
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Examines the process of applying the University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Center Affiliate Network (MCCAN) intervention, aimed at establishing high quality cancer care, to a rural hospital context in Iowa. Discusses the process of adapting MCCAN using the Making Optimal Decisions for Intervention Flexibility (MODIFI) approach and related modifications to the intervention.
Author(s): Mary C. Schroeder, Sarah A. Birken, Ingrid M. Lizarraga, et al.
Citation: Implementation Science Communications, 6, 105
Date: 10/2025
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