Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Healthcare facilities
Facilitation of Health Plan-Clinic Partnerships to Improve Colorectal Cancer Screening for Rural Medicaid Enrollees: A Qualitative Study
Examines efforts to increase colorectal cancer (CRC) screening rates, analyzing practice facilitation that supports mailed fecal immunochemical tests (FITs) and patient navigation. Utilizes qualitative data from the SMARTER CRC pragmatic trial that facilitates partnerships between Medicaid health plans and clinics in rural parts of Oregon.
Author(s): Erin S. Kenzie, Anders Herreid-O'Neill, Emily Myers, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 42(3), e70203
Date: 08/2026
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Examines efforts to increase colorectal cancer (CRC) screening rates, analyzing practice facilitation that supports mailed fecal immunochemical tests (FITs) and patient navigation. Utilizes qualitative data from the SMARTER CRC pragmatic trial that facilitates partnerships between Medicaid health plans and clinics in rural parts of Oregon.
Author(s): Erin S. Kenzie, Anders Herreid-O'Neill, Emily Myers, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 42(3), e70203
Date: 08/2026
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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 - 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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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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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
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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
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Teledentistry in Health Centers: Promising Practices for Increasing Access to Oral Health Care
Highlights several promising practices using teledentistry to increase oral health access. Explores how five different programs in urban areas, and one in rural South Dakota, are using teledentistry via health centers to address workforce shortages and expand oral health access.
Date: 07/2026
Sponsoring organization: National Network for Oral Health Access
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Highlights several promising practices using teledentistry to increase oral health access. Explores how five different programs in urban areas, and one in rural South Dakota, are using teledentistry via health centers to address workforce shortages and expand oral health access.
Date: 07/2026
Sponsoring organization: National Network for Oral Health Access
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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
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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
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