Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Healthcare needs and services
Nicotine and Tobacco Product Use among US Youth in 10th and 12th Grade, 2023–2025: A Repeated Cross-Sectional Study
Examines trends in youth nicotine, tobacco, and multi-product co-use. Utilizes 2023-2025 survey data from 10th and 12th graders and analyzes lifetime use and past 30-day use of various nicotine and tobacco products according to grade, demographics, parent education, and school location of urban, suburban/town, or rural.
Author(s): Dayoung Bae, Junhan Cho, Alyssa F. Harlow, et al.
Citation: The Lancet Regional Health – Americas, 65, 101673
Date: 01/2027
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Examines trends in youth nicotine, tobacco, and multi-product co-use. Utilizes 2023-2025 survey data from 10th and 12th graders and analyzes lifetime use and past 30-day use of various nicotine and tobacco products according to grade, demographics, parent education, and school location of urban, suburban/town, or rural.
Author(s): Dayoung Bae, Junhan Cho, Alyssa F. Harlow, et al.
Citation: The Lancet Regional Health – Americas, 65, 101673
Date: 01/2027
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November 2026 MedPAC Meeting Transcript
Transcript from the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission's (MedPAC) November 2026 meeting. Covers changes to the Medicare physician fee schedule that affect primary care, charge-based coinsurance at Rural Health Clinics (RHCs), an analysis of aberrant patterns of care among hospice and home health providers, findings from MedPAC focus groups, and Medicare eligibility notification and the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) operations and funding.
Additional links: Charge-based Coinsurance at Rural Health Clinics, Findings from MedPAC's Focus Groups with Medicare Beneficiaries and Physicians, Nurse Practitioners, and Pharmacists
Date: 11/2026
Sponsoring organization: Medicare Payment Advisory Commission
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Transcript from the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission's (MedPAC) November 2026 meeting. Covers changes to the Medicare physician fee schedule that affect primary care, charge-based coinsurance at Rural Health Clinics (RHCs), an analysis of aberrant patterns of care among hospice and home health providers, findings from MedPAC focus groups, and Medicare eligibility notification and the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) operations and funding.
Additional links: Charge-based Coinsurance at Rural Health Clinics, Findings from MedPAC's Focus Groups with Medicare Beneficiaries and Physicians, Nurse Practitioners, and Pharmacists
Date: 11/2026
Sponsoring organization: Medicare Payment Advisory Commission
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The State of Mental Health in America 2026
Report presents data on mental health and substance use for youth and adults across all 50 states. Highlights barriers to mental health wellness, such as lack of mental healthcare coverage, mental health workforce shortages, and cost of treatment, among other factors. Discusses some challenges specific to rural communities.
Author(s): Maddy Reinert
Date: 11/2026
Sponsoring organization: Mental Health America
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Report presents data on mental health and substance use for youth and adults across all 50 states. Highlights barriers to mental health wellness, such as lack of mental healthcare coverage, mental health workforce shortages, and cost of treatment, among other factors. Discusses some challenges specific to rural communities.
Author(s): Maddy Reinert
Date: 11/2026
Sponsoring organization: Mental Health America
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Washington's RHT Funds Are 100% Obligated
Provides an overview of the recipients of Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) funding for budget period 1 in Washington. Lists organizations by RHTP initiative.
Date: 11/2026
Sponsoring organization: Washington State Health Care Authority
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Provides an overview of the recipients of Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) funding for budget period 1 in Washington. Lists organizations by RHTP initiative.
Date: 11/2026
Sponsoring organization: Washington State Health Care Authority
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Calendar Year (CY) 2027 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Final Rule
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 2027. Summarizes provisions related to remote monitoring, improving care for chronic illness and behavioral health needs, Rural Health Clinic (RHC) Diabetes Self-Management Training (DSMT) and Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) services, RHC and Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) mental health and telecommunication visits, the Medicare Prescription Drug Inflation Rebate Program, and more.
Date: 11/2026
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare & 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 2027. Summarizes provisions related to remote monitoring, improving care for chronic illness and behavioral health needs, Rural Health Clinic (RHC) Diabetes Self-Management Training (DSMT) and Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) services, RHC and Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) mental health and telecommunication visits, the Medicare Prescription Drug Inflation Rebate Program, and more.
Date: 11/2026
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
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Calendar Year 2027 Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS) and Ambulatory Surgical Center (ASC) Final Rule (CMS-1850-F)
Fact sheet providing an overview of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) final rule regarding updates and changes to the Medicare payments for hospital outpatient and Ambulatory Surgical Center (ASC) services for calendar year 2027. Summarizes provisions regarding changes to the inpatient only (IPO) list, Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) rate setting, updates to the Hospital Outpatient Quality Reporting (OQR) and Ambulatory Surgical Center Quality Reporting (ASCQR) programs, a cost-of-living adjustment to the nonlabor share of outpatient hospital service payments provided in Alaska and Hawaii, and more.
Date: 11/2026
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare & 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 for hospital outpatient and Ambulatory Surgical Center (ASC) services for calendar year 2027. Summarizes provisions regarding changes to the inpatient only (IPO) list, Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) rate setting, updates to the Hospital Outpatient Quality Reporting (OQR) and Ambulatory Surgical Center Quality Reporting (ASCQR) programs, a cost-of-living adjustment to the nonlabor share of outpatient hospital service payments provided in Alaska and Hawaii, and more.
Date: 11/2026
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
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Breast Cancer Screening in Rural West Texas: Access Barriers, Follow-Up Fragmentation, and AI-Enabled Oncology Care Delivery
A narrative review of literature that examines breast cancer screenings, timely diagnostic resolution, and treatment access in rural West Texas. Provides information on barriers to oncology care delivery, screening and treatment financial expenditures, county-level mammography utilization, female breast cancer burden, AI-enabled screening and diagnostic prioritization, and regional screening-to-treatment pathways.
Author(s): Alexander Philipovskiy, Sharda Singh, Austin Castillo, Karla Daniele
Citation: Cancer Control, 33
Date: 11/2026
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A narrative review of literature that examines breast cancer screenings, timely diagnostic resolution, and treatment access in rural West Texas. Provides information on barriers to oncology care delivery, screening and treatment financial expenditures, county-level mammography utilization, female breast cancer burden, AI-enabled screening and diagnostic prioritization, and regional screening-to-treatment pathways.
Author(s): Alexander Philipovskiy, Sharda Singh, Austin Castillo, Karla Daniele
Citation: Cancer Control, 33
Date: 11/2026
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Molecular Testing Among Patients With Advanced Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer in the Rural US
Explores factors associated with molecular testing among older adults with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), such as age, dual Medicaid and Medicare enrollment, Part D coverage, and visits with specialists. Analyzes data from a cohort of 8,259 NSCLC patients in rural areas between 2014-2019.
Author(s): Dena P. Rhinehart, Evelien van Gelderen, Josephine Feliciano, et al.
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 9(11), e2642270
Date: 11/2026
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Explores factors associated with molecular testing among older adults with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), such as age, dual Medicaid and Medicare enrollment, Part D coverage, and visits with specialists. Analyzes data from a cohort of 8,259 NSCLC patients in rural areas between 2014-2019.
Author(s): Dena P. Rhinehart, Evelien van Gelderen, Josephine Feliciano, et al.
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 9(11), e2642270
Date: 11/2026
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Arizona State Plan on Aging: Federal Fiscal Years 2027 and 2028
Provides a plan for the ways Arizona's Division of Aging and Adult Services (DAAS) will support independent, healthy, and dignified community-based aging during FY 2027 and 2028. Addresses rural and tribal areas throughout, discussing topics including access to healthcare, well-being and safety, the need to ensure sufficient funding for rural programs, collaboration and communication with tribal and rural populations, and more.
Date: 11/2026
Sponsoring organization: Arizona Department of Economic Security
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Provides a plan for the ways Arizona's Division of Aging and Adult Services (DAAS) will support independent, healthy, and dignified community-based aging during FY 2027 and 2028. Addresses rural and tribal areas throughout, discussing topics including access to healthcare, well-being and safety, the need to ensure sufficient funding for rural programs, collaboration and communication with tribal and rural populations, and more.
Date: 11/2026
Sponsoring organization: Arizona Department of Economic Security
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Texas Report on the Behavioral Health Matching Grant Programs, Fiscal Years 2024 and 2025
Reports on funding and areas served by state-level behavioral health matching grant programs in Texas, including data on number of rural counties served by grant programs. See document pages 26-28 for an overview of the Rural Initiatives Grant Program, which establishes and expands behavioral health centers and jail diversion centers for adults and children.
Date: 11/2026
Sponsoring organization: Texas Health and Human Services
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Reports on funding and areas served by state-level behavioral health matching grant programs in Texas, including data on number of rural counties served by grant programs. See document pages 26-28 for an overview of the Rural Initiatives Grant Program, which establishes and expands behavioral health centers and jail diversion centers for adults and children.
Date: 11/2026
Sponsoring organization: Texas Health and Human Services
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