Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Legislation and regulations
The 340B Drug Discount Program: Litigation Topics and Trends
Provides an overview of the 340B Drug Discount Program. Discusses litigation surrounding the 340B program, including lawsuits against 340B-covered entities over their use of contract pharmacies to distribute 340B drugs to patients and lawsuits against states that have enacted laws to protect contract pharmacies and covered entities inside their state. Describes courts' interpretation of the 340B statute. Offers considerations for the 119th Congress in light of the litigation and describes several legislative changes that Congress could make to the program if it chose to do so.
Date: 09/2025
Sponsoring organization: Congressional Research Service
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Provides an overview of the 340B Drug Discount Program. Discusses litigation surrounding the 340B program, including lawsuits against 340B-covered entities over their use of contract pharmacies to distribute 340B drugs to patients and lawsuits against states that have enacted laws to protect contract pharmacies and covered entities inside their state. Describes courts' interpretation of the 340B statute. Offers considerations for the 119th Congress in light of the litigation and describes several legislative changes that Congress could make to the program if it chose to do so.
Date: 09/2025
Sponsoring organization: Congressional Research Service
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Understanding and Applying for the Rural Health Transformation Program
Blog post providing an overview of the Rural Health Transformation Program established in the July 2025 budget reconciliation law. Covers the program's funding criteria and formula, distribution of funds, expected state application process, and more. Highlights collaborative opportunities that funds may be used for that align with CMS strategic goals. Offers tactical recommendations for state health officials to consider to support the application process.
Author(s): Susan Kansagra, Alexandra Kearly, Madison Hluchan, Orobosa Idehen
Date: 08/2025
Sponsoring organization: Association of State and Territorial Health Officials
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Blog post providing an overview of the Rural Health Transformation Program established in the July 2025 budget reconciliation law. Covers the program's funding criteria and formula, distribution of funds, expected state application process, and more. Highlights collaborative opportunities that funds may be used for that align with CMS strategic goals. Offers tactical recommendations for state health officials to consider to support the application process.
Author(s): Susan Kansagra, Alexandra Kearly, Madison Hluchan, Orobosa Idehen
Date: 08/2025
Sponsoring organization: Association of State and Territorial Health Officials
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Arizona Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP)
Details the process for Arizona's participation in the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP), which provides funding for rural health access, rural health outcomes, and improve the financial stability and operations of rural hospitals and other rural health facilities in each state.
Author(s): Dan Derksen, Bryna Koch
Date: 08/2025
Sponsoring organization: Arizona Center for Rural Health
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Details the process for Arizona's participation in the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP), which provides funding for rural health access, rural health outcomes, and improve the financial stability and operations of rural hospitals and other rural health facilities in each state.
Author(s): Dan Derksen, Bryna Koch
Date: 08/2025
Sponsoring organization: Arizona Center for Rural Health
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FY 2026 Medicare Inpatient Psychiatric Facility Prospective Payment System (IPF PPS) and Quality Reporting (IPFQR) Updates Final Rule (CMS-1831-F)
Fact sheet providing an overview of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) fiscal year 2026 inpatient psychiatric facility (IPF) prospective payment system (PPS) final rule. Covers annual updates to the prospective payment rates, outlier threshold, and wage index. Also describes changes to facility-level adjustment factors for teaching status and rural location.
Date: 08/2025
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
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Fact sheet providing an overview of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) fiscal year 2026 inpatient psychiatric facility (IPF) prospective payment system (PPS) final rule. Covers annual updates to the prospective payment rates, outlier threshold, and wage index. Also describes changes to facility-level adjustment factors for teaching status and rural location.
Date: 08/2025
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
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FY 2026 Hospital Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS) and Long-Term Care Hospital Prospective Payment System (LTCH PPS) Final Rule — CMS-1833-F
Fact sheet providing an overview of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) fiscal year 2026 hospital inpatient prospective payment system (IPPS) and long-term care hospital prospective payment system (LTCH PPS) final rule. Includes information about the Medicare Promoting Interoperability Program and the discontinuation of the low-wage index hospital policy for FY 2026 and subsequent years.
Date: 07/2025
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
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Fact sheet providing an overview of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) fiscal year 2026 hospital inpatient prospective payment system (IPPS) and long-term care hospital prospective payment system (LTCH PPS) final rule. Includes information about the Medicare Promoting Interoperability Program and the discontinuation of the low-wage index hospital policy for FY 2026 and subsequent years.
Date: 07/2025
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
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Interstate Occupational Licensure Arrangements to Expand Access to Behavioral Health Services
Policy brief describing state-based provisions to expand behavioral health services through interstate licensure arrangements for providers. Discusses potential impact on provision of behavioral health services, including telehealth, with a focus on how expanded services might enhance access for rural residents. Features state-level maps showing where legislation has been enacted or introduced, as of November 2024.
Author(s): Natalia V. Oster, C. Holly A. Andrilla, Davis G. Patterson, Lisa A. Garberson, Janessa M. Graves
Date: 07/2025
Sponsoring organization: WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
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Policy brief describing state-based provisions to expand behavioral health services through interstate licensure arrangements for providers. Discusses potential impact on provision of behavioral health services, including telehealth, with a focus on how expanded services might enhance access for rural residents. Features state-level maps showing where legislation has been enacted or introduced, as of November 2024.
Author(s): Natalia V. Oster, C. Holly A. Andrilla, Davis G. Patterson, Lisa A. Garberson, Janessa M. Graves
Date: 07/2025
Sponsoring organization: WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
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Proposed CY 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule: Fact Sheet
Fact sheet covering Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) telehealth policy changes for 2026 as outlined in the final calendar year (CY) 2026 Physician Fee Schedule. Covers the process for determining which services can be delivered by telehealth; frequency limitations for inpatient visits, nursing facilities, and critical care consults; direct supervision through the use of live video; payment to Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and Rural Health Clinics (RHCs); and more.
Date: 07/2025
Sponsoring organization: Center for Connected Health Policy: The National Telehealth Policy Resource Center
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Fact sheet covering Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) telehealth policy changes for 2026 as outlined in the final calendar year (CY) 2026 Physician Fee Schedule. Covers the process for determining which services can be delivered by telehealth; frequency limitations for inpatient visits, nursing facilities, and critical care consults; direct supervision through the use of live video; payment to Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and Rural Health Clinics (RHCs); and more.
Date: 07/2025
Sponsoring organization: Center for Connected Health Policy: The National Telehealth Policy Resource Center
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Understanding and Navigating Commingling - RHC Edition
Recording of a July 17, 2025, webinar discussing how Rural Health Clinics can share resources and be located in the same space as other Medicare entities and remain compliant with Medicare regulations. Describes common commingling issues and best practices. Part of the Rural Health Clinic Technical Assistance Series.
Additional links: Presentation Slides
Date: 07/2025
Sponsoring organization: National Association of Rural Health Clinics
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Recording of a July 17, 2025, webinar discussing how Rural Health Clinics can share resources and be located in the same space as other Medicare entities and remain compliant with Medicare regulations. Describes common commingling issues and best practices. Part of the Rural Health Clinic Technical Assistance Series.
Additional links: Presentation Slides
Date: 07/2025
Sponsoring organization: National Association of Rural Health Clinics
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The Universal Service Fund and Related FCC Broadband Programs: Overview and Considerations for Congress
Provides an overview of the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) Universal Service Fund (USF) and its four programs: the High Cost Program, Lifeline Program, Rural Health Care Program, and Schools and Libraries Program. Describes legislation introduced in the 118th Congress that would impact the USF programs. Outlines considerations for Congress and five areas for possible reform.
Date: 07/2025
Sponsoring organization: Congressional Research Service
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Provides an overview of the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) Universal Service Fund (USF) and its four programs: the High Cost Program, Lifeline Program, Rural Health Care Program, and Schools and Libraries Program. Describes legislation introduced in the 118th Congress that would impact the USF programs. Outlines considerations for Congress and five areas for possible reform.
Date: 07/2025
Sponsoring organization: Congressional Research Service
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Guidance for the Expiration of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE)
Outlines the emergency waivers related to the minimum health and safety requirements for long-term care and acute continuing care providers that expired at the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE). Describes the timelines for certain regulatory requirements issued during the PHE through interim final rules.
Date: 07/2025
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
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Outlines the emergency waivers related to the minimum health and safety requirements for long-term care and acute continuing care providers that expired at the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE). Describes the timelines for certain regulatory requirements issued during the PHE through interim final rules.
Date: 07/2025
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
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