Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Healthcare facilities
Rural Residence and Postsurgical Outcomes Among Medicare Beneficiaries
Explores the post-surgical outcomes of Medicare beneficiaries undergoing four common inpatient general surgery operations: appendectomy, cholecystectomy, colectomy, or incisional hernia repair. Compares quality outcomes including mortality, complications, 30-day readmissions, and discharge disposition for rural and nonrural Medicare beneficiaries using Medicare Provider Analysis and Review (MEDPAR) data from 2016 to 2023.
Author(s): Cody Lendon Mullens, Adrian Diaz, Brooke C. Bredbeck, et al.
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 9(8), e2626959
Date: 08/2026
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Explores the post-surgical outcomes of Medicare beneficiaries undergoing four common inpatient general surgery operations: appendectomy, cholecystectomy, colectomy, or incisional hernia repair. Compares quality outcomes including mortality, complications, 30-day readmissions, and discharge disposition for rural and nonrural Medicare beneficiaries using Medicare Provider Analysis and Review (MEDPAR) data from 2016 to 2023.
Author(s): Cody Lendon Mullens, Adrian Diaz, Brooke C. Bredbeck, et al.
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 9(8), e2626959
Date: 08/2026
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2026 CCBHC Impact Report
Discusses the impact certified community behavioral health clinics (CCBHCs) have had on expanding access to mental and substance use healthcare, supporting the well-being of children and families, and coordinating with primary care providers, among other measures. Explores national CCBHC implementation status, utilization of services, collaboration with other providers, and workforce support. Includes a breakdown of clientele expansions in rural CCBHCs.
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organization: National Council for Mental Wellbeing
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Discusses the impact certified community behavioral health clinics (CCBHCs) have had on expanding access to mental and substance use healthcare, supporting the well-being of children and families, and coordinating with primary care providers, among other measures. Explores national CCBHC implementation status, utilization of services, collaboration with other providers, and workforce support. Includes a breakdown of clientele expansions in rural CCBHCs.
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organization: National Council for Mental Wellbeing
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Indiana Kidney Program Improves Outcomes Through Proactive Care and Education
Profiles the Kidney Care Options (KCO) Program developed by Major Health Partners (MHP) in rural Shelby County, Indiana. Shares how the nurse-led, interdisciplinary KCO program provides patient education, care coordination, patient advocacy, and other supports early in the treatment process so patients can make informed decisions about their kidney care.
Author(s): Allee Mead
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Profiles the Kidney Care Options (KCO) Program developed by Major Health Partners (MHP) in rural Shelby County, Indiana. Shares how the nurse-led, interdisciplinary KCO program provides patient education, care coordination, patient advocacy, and other supports early in the treatment process so patients can make informed decisions about their kidney care.
Author(s): Allee Mead
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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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
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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
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CAH Quality Inventory & Assessment Resources
Provides a list of resources for Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) to use to complete the 2025 CAH Quality Inventory and Assessment (Assessment). Includes resources regarding the background and components of the Assessment and instructions for each question.
Author(s): Madeleine Pick, Robert Barclay, Megan Lahr
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organization: Flex Monitoring Team
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Provides a list of resources for Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) to use to complete the 2025 CAH Quality Inventory and Assessment (Assessment). Includes resources regarding the background and components of the Assessment and instructions for each question.
Author(s): Madeleine Pick, Robert Barclay, Megan Lahr
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organization: Flex Monitoring Team
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CAH Quality Inventory & Assessment - State Flex Program Resources
Provides ancillary materials related to the 2025 Critical Access Hospital (CAH) Quality Inventory & Assessment (Assessment) for State Flex Programs (SFPs). Includes resources on the background and components of the Assessment for State Flex Programs, a template email that State Flex Programs can use to send to CAHs regarding the Assessment, and instructions for State Flex Programs detailing how to use the Assessment Data Tool for 2025 Assessment.
Author(s): Madeleine Pick, Robert Barclay, Megan Lahr
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organization: Flex Monitoring Team
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Provides ancillary materials related to the 2025 Critical Access Hospital (CAH) Quality Inventory & Assessment (Assessment) for State Flex Programs (SFPs). Includes resources on the background and components of the Assessment for State Flex Programs, a template email that State Flex Programs can use to send to CAHs regarding the Assessment, and instructions for State Flex Programs detailing how to use the Assessment Data Tool for 2025 Assessment.
Author(s): Madeleine Pick, Robert Barclay, Megan Lahr
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organization: Flex Monitoring Team
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Safe Minimum Nurse Staffing Requirements for Hospitals: Evidence from Pennsylvania
Explores the variation in nurse staffing ratios at 132 Pennsylvania hospitals in 2023. Examines whether medical-surgical nurse staffing ratios are associated with nurse job outcomes, patient clinical outcomes, and hospital costs. Compares findings by rural and urban hospital location. Describes the potential implications of minimum nurse staffing policies in Pennsylvania on nurses, patient care, and costs.
Author(s): K. Jane Muir, Linda H. Aiken, Heather Brom, et al.
Citation: Medical Care, 64(7), 447-455
Date: 07/2026
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Explores the variation in nurse staffing ratios at 132 Pennsylvania hospitals in 2023. Examines whether medical-surgical nurse staffing ratios are associated with nurse job outcomes, patient clinical outcomes, and hospital costs. Compares findings by rural and urban hospital location. Describes the potential implications of minimum nurse staffing policies in Pennsylvania on nurses, patient care, and costs.
Author(s): K. Jane Muir, Linda H. Aiken, Heather Brom, et al.
Citation: Medical Care, 64(7), 447-455
Date: 07/2026
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A Multilevel Adaptation Approach for the Sustainable Scale-Up of Family Cancer History Screening in Rural Public Health Clinics
Provides an overview of a multilevel approach to improve delivery of a family cancer history screening program. Outlines a 14-month adaptation process of a public health district in rural Georgia as well as individual, provider, clinic, organization, and community adaptations. Discusses the impact of partnerships among public health agencies, community organizations, and academic institutions to sustain successful implementation frameworks, multilevel stakeholder engagement, and adaptations of hereditary cancer screening programs.
Author(s): Yue Guan, Shacoria Anderson, Cindy Snyder, et al.
Citation: Archives of Public Health, 84, 221
Date: 07/2026
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Provides an overview of a multilevel approach to improve delivery of a family cancer history screening program. Outlines a 14-month adaptation process of a public health district in rural Georgia as well as individual, provider, clinic, organization, and community adaptations. Discusses the impact of partnerships among public health agencies, community organizations, and academic institutions to sustain successful implementation frameworks, multilevel stakeholder engagement, and adaptations of hereditary cancer screening programs.
Author(s): Yue Guan, Shacoria Anderson, Cindy Snyder, et al.
Citation: Archives of Public Health, 84, 221
Date: 07/2026
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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
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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
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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
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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
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