Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Legislation and regulations
Critical Access Hospital (CAH) Evaluation of Compliance with the Rural and Distance Requirements
Provides guidance regarding the evaluation of Critical Access Hospital (CAH) status and location requirements for current CAHs and initial CAH determinations. Covers the circumstances that trigger a CAH eligibility review, the evaluation of whether a proposed provider-based location will impact a CAH's status, and procedures for decennial reviews of existing CAHs.
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
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Provides guidance regarding the evaluation of Critical Access Hospital (CAH) status and location requirements for current CAHs and initial CAH determinations. Covers the circumstances that trigger a CAH eligibility review, the evaluation of whether a proposed provider-based location will impact a CAH's status, and procedures for decennial reviews of existing CAHs.
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
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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 dialysis 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 dialysis use, and more.
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organization: Medicare Payment Advisory Commission
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Visualizing the Impact of OBBBA Provisions on State Medicaid Funds
Presents data on the projected impact of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (Public Law 119-21) on state Medicaid and Rural Health Transformation Program funds between 2025 and 2034.
Additional links: Blog Post
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organization: Milbank Memorial Fund
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Presents data on the projected impact of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (Public Law 119-21) on state Medicaid and Rural Health Transformation Program funds between 2025 and 2034.
Additional links: Blog Post
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organization: Milbank Memorial Fund
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Health Center Program Scope of Project Policy Manual
Provides information on Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) current and future scope of project decisions and requests. Consolidates project policies, clarifies program oversight and decision-making, facilitates correct procedures and accountability, and simplifies forms and requirements.
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organization: Bureau of Primary Health Care
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Provides information on Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) current and future scope of project decisions and requests. Consolidates project policies, clarifies program oversight and decision-making, facilitates correct procedures and accountability, and simplifies forms and requirements.
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organization: Bureau of Primary Health Care
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FY 2027 Hospital Inpatient Prospective Payment System and Long-Term Care Hospital Prospective Payment System Final Rule (CMS-1849-F)
Fact sheet providing an overview of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) fiscal year 2027 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, the Hospital Inpatient Quality Reporting Program, the Long-Term Care Hospital Quality Reporting Program, and more.
Date: 07/2026
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
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Fact sheet providing an overview of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) fiscal year 2027 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, the Hospital Inpatient Quality Reporting Program, the Long-Term Care Hospital Quality Reporting Program, and more.
Date: 07/2026
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
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21st Century ROAD to Housing Act (P.L. 119-101)
Text of the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act (P.L. 119-101). Addresses regulatory barriers to new home construction, updates to U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) programs, and strengthening community banking operations. Outlines changes to existing programs and policies, as well as new and expanded programs, regarding housing supply, manufactured and rural housing, homeownership, veterans housing, and more.
Date: 07/2026
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Congress
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Text of the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act (P.L. 119-101). Addresses regulatory barriers to new home construction, updates to U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) programs, and strengthening community banking operations. Outlines changes to existing programs and policies, as well as new and expanded programs, regarding housing supply, manufactured and rural housing, homeownership, veterans housing, and more.
Date: 07/2026
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Congress
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MACPAC Comment Letter on Medicaid Managed Care State Directed Payments and Medicaid Fee-for-Service Targeted Medicaid Practitioner Payments
Comments on a May 22, 2026, Federal Register proposed rule regarding Medicaid managed care state directed payments (SDPs) and fee-for-service (FFS) targeted practitioner payments. Discusses state flexibility in payment policy, Medicare as a benchmark for Medicaid, monitoring and compliance, establishing appropriate SDP limits, and more.
Date: 07/2026
Sponsoring organization: Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission
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Comments on a May 22, 2026, Federal Register proposed rule regarding Medicaid managed care state directed payments (SDPs) and fee-for-service (FFS) targeted practitioner payments. Discusses state flexibility in payment policy, Medicare as a benchmark for Medicaid, monitoring and compliance, establishing appropriate SDP limits, and more.
Date: 07/2026
Sponsoring organization: Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission
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Rural Emergency Hospital (REH) Model Frequently Asked Questions
Provides answers to frequently asked questions regarding the Rural Emergency Hospital (REH) designation. Covers general information, Conditions of Participation, and REH payment policies.
Date: 07/2026
Sponsoring organizations: Mathematica, Rural Health Redesign Center
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Provides answers to frequently asked questions regarding the Rural Emergency Hospital (REH) designation. Covers general information, Conditions of Participation, and REH payment policies.
Date: 07/2026
Sponsoring organizations: Mathematica, Rural Health Redesign Center
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Medicaid Opportunities to Strengthen Oral Health Access In Rural Communities
Discusses how workforce innovations, teledentistry, rural workforce pipelines, and the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) can improve oral healthcare access for Medicaid recipients in rural communities.
Author(s): Madeline Steward
Date: 06/2026
Sponsoring organization: Center for Health Care Strategies
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Discusses how workforce innovations, teledentistry, rural workforce pipelines, and the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) can improve oral healthcare access for Medicaid recipients in rural communities.
Author(s): Madeline Steward
Date: 06/2026
Sponsoring organization: Center for Health Care Strategies
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Connection for a Cure: How Broadband Access Supports Telehealth Use
Describes broadband access, the impact it has on telehealth utilization, and the impact of telehealth on health outcomes. Highlights various state and federal policy measures addressing broadband and telehealth access, the Rural Health Transformation Program, reimbursement, cross-state licensure flexibility, teleprescribing, and emergency medical services.
Date: 06/2026
Sponsoring organization: National Conference of State Legislatures
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Describes broadband access, the impact it has on telehealth utilization, and the impact of telehealth on health outcomes. Highlights various state and federal policy measures addressing broadband and telehealth access, the Rural Health Transformation Program, reimbursement, cross-state licensure flexibility, teleprescribing, and emergency medical services.
Date: 06/2026
Sponsoring organization: National Conference of State Legislatures
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