Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Healthcare quality
Use of Preventive Services by Rurality, Disability Status, and Health Insurance
Examines rates of use of routine physicals and flu vaccination by rural or urban location, disability status, and health insurance type. Uses data from the 2022 National Health Interview Survey.
Author(s): Alexis Swendener, Katie Rydberg, Lisa I. Iezzoni, Carrie Henning-Smith
Date: 01/2026
Sponsoring organization: University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
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Examines rates of use of routine physicals and flu vaccination by rural or urban location, disability status, and health insurance type. Uses data from the 2022 National Health Interview Survey.
Author(s): Alexis Swendener, Katie Rydberg, Lisa I. Iezzoni, Carrie Henning-Smith
Date: 01/2026
Sponsoring organization: University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
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Rural Emergency Hospitals: Emerging Patterns of Adaptation and Community Perception
Examines characteristics of Rural Emergency Hospitals (REHs) and their impact on the community. Utilizes Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services cost report data to compare hospitals that converted to REHs to hospitals that did not convert. Analyzes issues such as hospital finances, local healthcare access, economic stabilization, REH reputation and use, community perceptions of quality, and more.
Author(s): Anders Van Sandt, Kaitlyn Line, Anja Gruber, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 42(1), e70112
Date: 01/2026
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Examines characteristics of Rural Emergency Hospitals (REHs) and their impact on the community. Utilizes Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services cost report data to compare hospitals that converted to REHs to hospitals that did not convert. Analyzes issues such as hospital finances, local healthcare access, economic stabilization, REH reputation and use, community perceptions of quality, and more.
Author(s): Anders Van Sandt, Kaitlyn Line, Anja Gruber, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 42(1), e70112
Date: 01/2026
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Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) 2026 Small Practice Eligibility and Participation Frequently Asked Questions
Provides answers to frequently asked questions regarding small practice participation and eligibility for the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) for the 2026 performance year. Covers individual and group eligibility, the low-volume threshold, changes to group composition during the performance year, and more.
Date: 01/2026
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
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Provides answers to frequently asked questions regarding small practice participation and eligibility for the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) for the 2026 performance year. Covers individual and group eligibility, the low-volume threshold, changes to group composition during the performance year, and more.
Date: 01/2026
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
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Simulation on Wheels: How Mobile Training Is Saving Lives in Rural Iowa
Podcast episode that discusses Simulation in Motion-Iowa (SIM-IA), a mobile clinical education program that provides rural hospitals and emergency medical service (EMS) professionals training experience in healthcare emergencies. Discusses the importance of SIM-IA in rural healthcare education to promote quality and patient safety in EMS and trauma situations.
Author(s): Tom Haederle, Jacinda Bunch, Tina Eden
Date: 01/2026
Sponsoring organization: American Hospital Association
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Podcast episode that discusses Simulation in Motion-Iowa (SIM-IA), a mobile clinical education program that provides rural hospitals and emergency medical service (EMS) professionals training experience in healthcare emergencies. Discusses the importance of SIM-IA in rural healthcare education to promote quality and patient safety in EMS and trauma situations.
Author(s): Tom Haederle, Jacinda Bunch, Tina Eden
Date: 01/2026
Sponsoring organization: American Hospital Association
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Outcomes Among Patients With Colon Cancer Living in Neighborhoods With Persistent Poverty
Results of a study comparing clinical outcomes for colon cancer patients based on the number of census tracts per ZIP code that were in persistent poverty at the time of diagnosis. Features statistics with breakdowns by urban and rural areas.
Author(s): Leon Naar, Alexa L. Pohl, Arden M. Morris, Aaron J. Dawes,
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 9(1), e2551212.
Date: 01/2026
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Results of a study comparing clinical outcomes for colon cancer patients based on the number of census tracts per ZIP code that were in persistent poverty at the time of diagnosis. Features statistics with breakdowns by urban and rural areas.
Author(s): Leon Naar, Alexa L. Pohl, Arden M. Morris, Aaron J. Dawes,
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 9(1), e2551212.
Date: 01/2026
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Merit-Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS): 2026 Improvement Activities Performance Category Quick Start Guide
Provides an overview of Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) requirements, data collection, and data submission for the improvement activities performance category for the 2026 performance year. Includes information about special status scoring for small practices and clinicians located in a rural or Health Professional Shortage Area.
Date: 01/2026
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
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Provides an overview of Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) requirements, data collection, and data submission for the improvement activities performance category for the 2026 performance year. Includes information about special status scoring for small practices and clinicians located in a rural or Health Professional Shortage Area.
Date: 01/2026
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
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Oregon Critical Access Hospital Quality Reporting Programs, FY25 Flex (Sept. 1, 2025-Aug. 31, 2026)
Serves as a guide to help Oregon Critical Access Hospital (CAH) quality improvement officers develop and support quality improvement activities and make informed decisions when reporting their quality improvement efforts.
Date: 01/2026
Sponsoring organization: Oregon Office of Rural Health
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Serves as a guide to help Oregon Critical Access Hospital (CAH) quality improvement officers develop and support quality improvement activities and make informed decisions when reporting their quality improvement efforts.
Date: 01/2026
Sponsoring organization: Oregon Office of Rural Health
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Preparing Hawaiʻi's Health Centers for Value-Based Care: A Cross-Center Needs Assessment and Readiness Report
Discusses health centers' readiness to implement value-based care models in Hawaii, covering topics including data infrastructure, staffing, financial planning, leadership, and payer relations. Compares findings from urban, suburban, and rural or remote health centers.
Author(s): Navya Karkada, Sheryl Irie, Jermy Domingo, Cristina Vocalan
Date: 2026
Sponsoring organization: Hawaii Primary Care Association
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Discusses health centers' readiness to implement value-based care models in Hawaii, covering topics including data infrastructure, staffing, financial planning, leadership, and payer relations. Compares findings from urban, suburban, and rural or remote health centers.
Author(s): Navya Karkada, Sheryl Irie, Jermy Domingo, Cristina Vocalan
Date: 2026
Sponsoring organization: Hawaii Primary Care Association
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Finding Your Way: Rural Areas - Models and Methods to Support Connection in Rural Areas - Michigan
A guidebook that provides information on social systems for rural areas, covering topics such as collaboration, human services, community engagement, emergency preparedness, volunteer recruitment, healthcare quality, and more. Includes rural resources and contact information for related Michigan organizations.
Date: 2026
Sponsoring organization: National Kidney Foundation of Michigan
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A guidebook that provides information on social systems for rural areas, covering topics such as collaboration, human services, community engagement, emergency preparedness, volunteer recruitment, healthcare quality, and more. Includes rural resources and contact information for related Michigan organizations.
Date: 2026
Sponsoring organization: National Kidney Foundation of Michigan
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The University of Arizona Center for Rural Health: Annual Report FY 2026
Highlights the Center for Rural Health's accomplishments in fiscal year 2026 and describes upcoming challenges and opportunities for improving the health of rural Arizonans. Discusses the State Office of Rural Health, Arizona Health Improvement Plan (AzHIP), Arizona Rural Hospital Flexibility program (AzFLEX), Arizona Small Rural Hospital Improvement Program (AzSHIP), and other programs. Includes a map of rural and safety net health facilities.
Author(s): Daniel Derksen, Mona Arora, Leila Barraza, et al.
Date: 2026
Sponsoring organization: Arizona Center for Rural Health
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Highlights the Center for Rural Health's accomplishments in fiscal year 2026 and describes upcoming challenges and opportunities for improving the health of rural Arizonans. Discusses the State Office of Rural Health, Arizona Health Improvement Plan (AzHIP), Arizona Rural Hospital Flexibility program (AzFLEX), Arizona Small Rural Hospital Improvement Program (AzSHIP), and other programs. Includes a map of rural and safety net health facilities.
Author(s): Daniel Derksen, Mona Arora, Leila Barraza, et al.
Date: 2026
Sponsoring organization: Arizona Center for Rural Health
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