Rural Health & Human Services News by Topic: Emergency medical services - Rural Health Information Hub

NHTSA, NTIA: Eliminating Obsolete Regulations Related to the 911 Grant Program

Tue, 06 Oct 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Notice of final rule from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), Department of Commerce and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), U.S. Department of Transportation removing regulations related to the 911 Grant Program because the program is no longer active and there have been no new appropriations to revive or extend it. Authorization for the program expired on October 1, 2022, and the Public Safety Trust Fund that funded the program was not extended past fiscal year 2022. All projects funded by the program have been closed out and no open grants or applications exist. This rule is effective October 6, 2026.

NHTSA: Request for Information: Nationwide Implementation of Prehospital Blood Transfusion

Tue, 06 Oct 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Notice from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), on behalf of the Federal Interagency Committee on Emergency Medical Services (FICEMS), seeking comments on the nationwide implementation of prehospital blood transfusion. Specifically, NHTSA seeks comments on strategies, barriers, and solutions to advance prehospital blood transfusion capabilities across state, local, tribal, and territorial emergency medical services (EMS) and 911 systems. Includes questions to which NHTSA is seeking responses. Comments are due by November 5, 2026.

Governor Ivey Announces Additional Alabama Rural Health Transformation Program Grants Totaling Nearly $55 Million

Thu, 01 Oct 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Announces new awarded funding in Alabama from the Rural Health Transformation Program. Initiatives include maternal and fetal health, emergency medical services for stroke response and treat-in-place services, simulation training, cancer screening and treatment, equipment upgrades, and workforce pipeline projects.

Paramedics Are Helping Patients Manage Illnesses, Connect with Services and Avoid Calling 911. But These Programs Can Be Tough to Sustain in Rural Areas.

Wed, 16 Sep 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Highlights a Virginia community paramedicine program and describes the challenges faced in offering the service, most notably funding and workforce. Discusses how community paramedicine can relieve strain on community emergency services which are often volunteer-run in rural communities.

HHS Awards More Than $380 Million to Strengthen America's Behavioral Health System on 988 Day

Tue, 08 Sep 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Announces awarded funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for a variety of behavioral health treatment, prevention, and crisis response programs across over 20 funding opportunities. Includes funding for suicide prevention and response in tribal communities, community-based systems of care for tribal youth, emergency medical services for behavioral health crises in rural areas, and training and technical assistance for rural opioid and stimulant use.

Federal Funding Coming to Hawai'i to Strengthen Rural Health Care

Tue, 01 Sep 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Hawaii has received $58 million in federal funding through the Rural Health Transformation Program to improve access to healthcare and strengthen services in rural and underserved communities. This includes $45 million for the University of Hawaii School of Medicine to administer workforce development programs and $13 million for the Hawaii Department of Health to acquire new ambulances and upgrade emergency communications systems.

Sanders Announces Nearly $150 Million Awarded in Rural Health Transformation Funds

Thu, 27 Aug 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) funding of $55.7 million through the Telehealth, Health-Monitoring, and Response Innovation for Vital Expansion initiative and $93.6 million through the Promoting Access Coordination and Transformation priority. Arkansas is expected to receive approximately $1 billion in RHTP funding in the next five years.

EMS Programs Face Many Challenges. In Rural Colorado, the Hurdles Are Even Higher.

Mon, 24 Aug 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Describes challenges in emergency medicine services (EMS) delivery in Colorado and how EMS agencies across the state are supported. Discusses long response times, mobile training methods, community outreach and volunteers, and rural blood shortages.

NTIA: First Responder Network Authority Combined Board and Board Committees Meeting

Thu, 20 Aug 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Notice from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet Authority) announcing a public meeting of the FirstNet Authority Board and Board Committees on September 15, 2026, from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. Eastern. Agenda items are being finalized and will be published on the FirstNet Authority website. Public attendance will be available online only.

New $5.2M Initiative Aims to Standardize Care, Improve Outcomes for Rural Stroke Victims

Mon, 17 Aug 2026 00:00:00 -0500

New philanthropic funding has been allocated for a Wyoming program that will expand and enhance stroke care across the state. Discusses the impact of distance to care on stroke outcomes and highlights positive outcomes for similar programs in other states.

Local Response Can Save Rural Farmers' Lives

Tue, 11 Aug 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Discusses risks associated with farming, prevention measures, and how emergency medical services can save lives. Highlights how access to EMS can be challenging for rural areas and the importance of volunteers for maintaining services.