Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Healthcare needs and services
How Do Services Offered Within Opioid Treatment Programs Vary Based on State Methadone Policies?
Examines the availability of opioid treatment programs (OTPs) in various states as well as access to medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) options, psychosocial services, and housing supports. Analyzes 1,501 opioid treatment programs (OTPs) and their characteristics, including state restrictiveness, services offered, facility type, rurality, and more.
Author(s): Zoe Lindenfeld, Noa Krawczyk, Erin A. Taylor, Denis Agniel, Jonathan H. Cantor
Citation: Journal of Substance Use & Addiction Treatment, 190, 210062
Date: 11/2026
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Examines the availability of opioid treatment programs (OTPs) in various states as well as access to medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) options, psychosocial services, and housing supports. Analyzes 1,501 opioid treatment programs (OTPs) and their characteristics, including state restrictiveness, services offered, facility type, rurality, and more.
Author(s): Zoe Lindenfeld, Noa Krawczyk, Erin A. Taylor, Denis Agniel, Jonathan H. Cantor
Citation: Journal of Substance Use & Addiction Treatment, 190, 210062
Date: 11/2026
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Measuring the Association of Medicaid Accountable Care Organizations on Total Cost of Care Across the Perinatal Period
Evaluates the impact of Medicaid Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) on the cost of healthcare in prenatal, delivery, and postpartum periods. Compares 150,879 Medicaid-covered live deliveries in Massachusetts practices that both did and did not participate in an ACO implementation between January 2016 and March 2023. Includes the rural ZIP code residence percentage for deliveries included in the study.
Author(s): Kathleen Carey, Megan B. Cole
Citation: Health Affairs Scholar, 4(8)
Date: 08/2026
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Evaluates the impact of Medicaid Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) on the cost of healthcare in prenatal, delivery, and postpartum periods. Compares 150,879 Medicaid-covered live deliveries in Massachusetts practices that both did and did not participate in an ACO implementation between January 2016 and March 2023. Includes the rural ZIP code residence percentage for deliveries included in the study.
Author(s): Kathleen Carey, Megan B. Cole
Citation: Health Affairs Scholar, 4(8)
Date: 08/2026
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MedPAC Comment on CMS's Proposed Rule on the Payment System for End-Stage Renal Disease for CY 2027
Comments on a June 26, 2026, Federal Register proposed rule related to Medicare payment policies for end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Includes comments addressing updates to the ESRD bundled market basket and the low-volume payment adjustment (LVPA), approaches to increase home dialsyis use, and more.
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organization: Medicare Payment Advisory Commission
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Comments on a June 26, 2026, Federal Register proposed rule related to Medicare payment policies for end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Includes comments addressing updates to the ESRD bundled market basket and the low-volume payment adjustment (LVPA), approaches to increase home dialsyis use, and more.
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organization: Medicare Payment Advisory Commission
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Underground Power Lines in Pennsylvania
Reviews the structure of the electrical grid and the reliability of electric service in Pennsylvania. Discusses common causes of outages, financial and health impacts associated with outages, and the impact of severe weather on the electric grid. Mentions rural throughout.
Additional links: Summary
Author(s): Bryan W. DeWalt, Jae Wan Ahn, Karen Maynard, Richard Hoey, Wendy L. Baker
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organization: Joint State Government Commission, General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
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Reviews the structure of the electrical grid and the reliability of electric service in Pennsylvania. Discusses common causes of outages, financial and health impacts associated with outages, and the impact of severe weather on the electric grid. Mentions rural throughout.
Additional links: Summary
Author(s): Bryan W. DeWalt, Jae Wan Ahn, Karen Maynard, Richard Hoey, Wendy L. Baker
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organization: Joint State Government Commission, General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
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Five Milestones to Addressing Rural Veteran Care Coordination, Care Management, and Case Management Needs: An Integrated Case Management Practice Framework
Explores the implementation of the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Care Coordination and Integrated Case Management (CCICM) program into rural facilities. Highlights the goals of the CCICM program and outlines the challenges of implementing it in rural areas. Breaks down the implementation process into five milestones – leadership awareness, facility readiness, preparing to implement, systems and clinical integration, and establishment of a governance structure.
Author(s): Christine Melillo, Heidi Sjoberg, Marcie Lee, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 42(3), e70190
Date: 08/2026
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Explores the implementation of the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Care Coordination and Integrated Case Management (CCICM) program into rural facilities. Highlights the goals of the CCICM program and outlines the challenges of implementing it in rural areas. Breaks down the implementation process into five milestones – leadership awareness, facility readiness, preparing to implement, systems and clinical integration, and establishment of a governance structure.
Author(s): Christine Melillo, Heidi Sjoberg, Marcie Lee, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 42(3), e70190
Date: 08/2026
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Spatial and Temporal Trends of Access to Birthing Hospitals in Illinois, 2016–2021
Explores changes in travel time to obstetric care between 2016 and 2021 in Illinois at the census tract level, using Illinois Department of Public Health and American Community Survey data. Provides data on access to care by rural or urban dwelling, among other demographic comparisons.
Author(s): Mechelle D. Claridy, Barbara Chebet Keino, Lauren M. Ramsey, et al.
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 23
Date: 08/2026
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Explores changes in travel time to obstetric care between 2016 and 2021 in Illinois at the census tract level, using Illinois Department of Public Health and American Community Survey data. Provides data on access to care by rural or urban dwelling, among other demographic comparisons.
Author(s): Mechelle D. Claridy, Barbara Chebet Keino, Lauren M. Ramsey, et al.
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 23
Date: 08/2026
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Rural West Virginia Health Center Helps Patients Access Prescriptions
Features Mountain Laurel Integrated Healthcare (MLIH), which started its own onsite pharmacy to help patients fill prescriptions the same day they see their provider. MLIH offers medication management, compliance packaging, and assistance addressing access barriers.
Author(s): Allee Mead
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Features Mountain Laurel Integrated Healthcare (MLIH), which started its own onsite pharmacy to help patients fill prescriptions the same day they see their provider. MLIH offers medication management, compliance packaging, and assistance addressing access barriers.
Author(s): Allee Mead
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Mapping Rural–Urban Disparities in Otolaryngology Access: A Statewide Analysis of Georgia's ENT Workforce
Examines how the supply, distribution, and training characteristics of otolaryngologists in Georgia vary by rural or urban county using Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Georgia Composite Medical Board, and American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery data. Includes data on rural and urban travel burden, subspecialty availability, and more.
Author(s): Shervin Eskandari, William E. Long, Benjamin Aderinwale, et al.
Citation: OTO Open, 10(3), e70286
Date: 08/2026
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Examines how the supply, distribution, and training characteristics of otolaryngologists in Georgia vary by rural or urban county using Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Georgia Composite Medical Board, and American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery data. Includes data on rural and urban travel burden, subspecialty availability, and more.
Author(s): Shervin Eskandari, William E. Long, Benjamin Aderinwale, et al.
Citation: OTO Open, 10(3), e70286
Date: 08/2026
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Vermont 2024 Physician Census: Statistical Report
Presents detailed profiles of physicians who renewed their licenses as of late 2024 and were providing patient care in Vermont. Features demographics and county-level statistics including primary care physician to population ratios.
Additional links: Methodology Change to Physician Reporting, Summary
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organization: Vermont Department of Health
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Presents detailed profiles of physicians who renewed their licenses as of late 2024 and were providing patient care in Vermont. Features demographics and county-level statistics including primary care physician to population ratios.
Additional links: Methodology Change to Physician Reporting, Summary
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organization: Vermont Department of Health
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"Kind of Feel Like the Lone Outpost": A Qualitative Exploration of Barriers to Professional Development for Rural Primary Care Providers at the Veterans Health Administration
Study evaluates the levels of engagement in professional development (PD) among 9 rural primary care providers (PCPs) in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). Explores barriers to PD participation and details findings of semi-structured interviews with rural PCPs on the importance of PD in supporting recruitment and retention efforts.
Author(s): Karla L. Miller, Jennifer Hale-Gallardo, Jaime R. Wilson, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 42(3), e70206
Date: 08/2026
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Study evaluates the levels of engagement in professional development (PD) among 9 rural primary care providers (PCPs) in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). Explores barriers to PD participation and details findings of semi-structured interviews with rural PCPs on the importance of PD in supporting recruitment and retention efforts.
Author(s): Karla L. Miller, Jennifer Hale-Gallardo, Jaime R. Wilson, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 42(3), e70206
Date: 08/2026
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