Rural Health & Human Services News by Topic: Health workforce education and training - Rural Health Information Hub

The 'Hub-and-Spoke' Model for Addiction Treatment in North Carolina

Wed, 15 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Describes a North Carolina network offering training and support for healthcare providers offering medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) through a hub-and-spoke model. Discusses how the model works in rural communities and integrating the treatment into primary care.

HHS: Request for Information, Training and Care Delivery Models for Safe Administration of Potential FDA-Approved Psychedelic Therapies in Ambulatory Clinical Settings

Tue, 14 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0500

The Department of Health and Human Services is seeking comments on training and care delivery models to ensure safe and effective use of psychedelic drugs. Questions for consideration include training regarding patient eligibility, drug administration, and post-administration follow up; access for Federally Qualified Health Centers, Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics, and Rural Health Clinics; and technologies that allow for expanded access while maintaining patient safety. Comments are due August 13, 2026.

New LSU Health Shreveport Scholarship Program Tackling Critical Rural Workforce Shortage

Mon, 13 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Describes a physician assistant scholarship program in a Louisiana university aiming to address rural healthcare workforce shortages in the state. The program will also work with new rural clinical preceptor sites, thereby expanding access to healthcare for rural residents while also offering students rural-focused training.

Grain Bin Accidents Remain Deadly. One Farmer Hopes His Family's Story Can Help.

Sat, 11 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Discusses the risk of grain bin incidents on farms, noting that fatality rates remain high despite increased training for first responders. Highlights safety equipment and policy measures that can prevent deaths.

Bridging the Distance: Bringing Care Closer to Home for Rural Veterans

Wed, 08 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Describes a Veterans Administration (VA) pilot program in New Mexico, Arizona, and Wyoming to make healthcare more accessible for rural veterans by including rural and underserved VA and Indian Health Service locations in VA residencies. Discusses how the program offers innovative service delivery models, builds cultural awareness, and increases the VA and IHS workforce.

CMS: Medicare Program: Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment and Ambulatory Surgical Center Payment Systems; and Quality Reporting Programs; Including the Hospital Outpatient Quality Reporting Program and Ambulatory Surgical Center Quality Program; Request for Information on Strengthening the Standardization and Comparability of Hospital Price Transparency (HPT) Data; Prior Authorization; Accrediting Organization (AO) Deeming for Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA); and Notices of Closure of Teaching Hospitals and Opportunities To Apply for Available Slots

Tue, 07 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Notice of a proposed rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) making changes to the Medicare Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS) and the Medicare Ambulatory Surgical Center (ASC) payment system for calendar year 2027, including changes to the amounts and factors used to determine the payment rates for Medicare services paid under the OPPS and those paid under the ASC payment systems. Among other things, this rule also proposes updates related to the requirements for the Hospital Outpatient Quality Reporting Program and Ambulatory Surgical Center Quality Reporting Program; requests information regarding potential approaches to improve comparability and standardization of the HPT information reported in machine-readable files and consumer-friendly displays, particularly for complex contracting methodologies; and announces notices of closure of teaching hospitals and opportunities to apply for available slots. Comments are due by August 31, 2026.

Summer Program Reaches 5-year Milestone in Preparing Future Physicians

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0500

The University of Alabama program Tuscaloosa Rural Pre-Medical Internship is celebrating 5 years of preparing physicians for rural practice. The program recruits rural Alabama residents in high school and moves them through medical school and into rural practice while offering clinical experiences, skills training, and mentorship. The program recently welcomed the 2026 class.

USF Health Brings Emergency Pregnancy Training to Rural Florida Without Maternal Care

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Describes a maternal care training program for emergency responders and hospital staff in rural Florida where maternal care is limited. The training includes simulations of emergency scenarios, preparing the trainees to handle critical issues to allow for safe patient transfers to specialty care.

HRSA Announces Nearly $140 Million in New Funding to Improve Health in Rural Communities

Mon, 29 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0500

The Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) has announced new funding for rural communities, including funding for rural substance use prevention, treatment, and recovery services; expansion of medical residencies; strengthening rural healthcare networks, and advancing telehealth.

Bringing Health Care Training Closer to Home for Rural Students

Mon, 29 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Kansas City University's Rural Health Scholars program is building up the rural health care workforce in the region where Kansas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Missouri meet. By building relationships with 8 different community colleges and 2 four-year universities, the program will accelerate career pathways for students who want to become doctors or dentists in rural communities.

Mary Baldwin University Launching Rural Mental Healthcare Program

Fri, 26 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0500

A Virginia university is offering a new psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner program to address a growing need for rural mental healthcare amid healthcare workforce shortages. The program will support placements in Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia, and North Carolina.

Addressing the Rural Nursing Crisis

Tue, 23 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Offers an interview with a South Dakota State University assistant professor in the College of Nursing about rural healthcare challenges and the work the university is doing to address nursing workforce shortages in both short-term acute care and long-term care settings in rural communities.

Kirksville's A.T. Still University Remains Top Producer of Rural Physicians in the Country

Tue, 23 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Highlights a medical school producing significant numbers of rural practicing physicians. Discusses perceived contributing factors including recruiting rural residents, a rural focus in the curriculum, and osteopathic medicine being suited to rural practice.

This Pa. Dentist Treats 1000s of Patients from Multiple Rural Counties. What Will Happen When He Retires?

Tue, 16 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Discusses dental workforce shortages across Pennsylvania and highlights the impact on access when a provider retires. Describes initiatives at 2 Pennsylvania universities to train dental students in regional centers and clinics as a strategy to increase the rural dental workforce. Notes these initiatives are incorporated into the state's Rural Health Transformation Program plan.

Indian Health Service Receives Gift Membership to Expand Training for Serious Illness Care

Tue, 16 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0500

The Indian Health Service (IHS) has a new membership with a palliative care organization with the goal of expanding access to training and resources. Selected IHS workforce participants will gain access to a library of courses, tools, webinars, and experts to improve palliative care quality and outcomes.

UM Launches State's First Public PA Program, Tackling Rural Healthcare Shortage

Thu, 11 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0500

The University of Montana's new physician associate program will begin this fall. The program aims to address workforce shortages across the state, particularly for rural areas.

Rural Interprofessional Longitudinal Scholars Serve Rural Communities

Wed, 10 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Describes a collaborative program between 3 University of North Carolina institutions allowing cohorts of students from different healthcare disciplines to learn about and address rural health issues. Notes the program's impact on increasing the rural healthcare workforce.

$25 Million Gift Will Bolster Rural, Indigenous Healthcare

Wed, 03 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0500

A new philanthropic donation to the University of Washington School of Medicine Medical Student Education Program will create new scholarships and student support programs to increase primary care physicians in rural and tribal Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana, and Idaho.

Meeting the Moment in Rural Health Transformation: Stratis Health Accelerates National Impact Through NARHI Acquisition

Tue, 02 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0500

The National Alliance for Rural Health Improvement (NARHI) has been acquired by Stratis Health and renamed the Rural Health Quality Improvement Exchange (RHQIX). RHQIX is a membership organization aiming to impact rural healthcare access, quality, and outcomes through education, professional development, peer networking, and rural-focused resources.

Haskell Indian Nations University and Indian Health Service Sign Landmark Agreement to Expand Health and Educational Opportunities

Mon, 01 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0500

An agreement between the Indian Health Services (IHS) and Haskell Indian Nations University in Kansas has been made to build a new medical clinic to expand educational and workforce training opportunities for American Indian students. Haskell Indian National University is operated by the U.S. Department of the Interior's Bureau of Indian Education. The facility will allow Haskell students to train alongside IHS providers practicing high quality, culturally-informed healthcare.

In Focus: Hospitals Serve as Anchor Institutions in Rural Communities

Sun, 31 May 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Describes the economic impact of hospitals on rural communities with a focus on Wisconsin. Discusses community engagement, workforce training, and rural livability as factors influencing the recruitment of healthcare workforce.

ECU Health Expands Graduate Program for Rural Access

Thu, 28 May 2026 00:00:00 -0500

East Carolina University has added a rural residency track for their internal medicine, general surgery, obstetrics and gynecology, and pediatrics graduate medical education programs. The goal is to increase access to healthcare in rural North Carolina communities.

CMS: Medicare Program: Hospital Inpatient Prospective Payment Systems for Acute Care Hospitals (IPPS) and the Long Term Care Hospital Prospective Payment System and Policy Changes and Fiscal Year 2027 Rates; Requirements for Quality Programs; and Other Policy Changes; Correction

Fri, 22 May 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services making technical and typographical corrections to the April 14, 2026, proposed rule. Comments on the proposed rule are due by June 9, 2026.

Pharmacy Receives NACDS Foundation Award To Reach Students in Rural Communities

Thu, 21 May 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Auburn University's Harrison College of Pharmacy was awarded a $20,000 National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) Foundation scholarship. The award will support the school's Rural RxGuidance program, designed to inspire rural youth to consider pharmacy careers, while addressing workforce shortages in medically underserved areas.

Addressing Workforce Challenges through the Rural Health Transformation Program

Tue, 19 May 2026 00:00:00 -0500

The $50 billion Rural Health Transformation Program is providing all states with funding over the next 5 years, to address rural health challenges. More than 60% of Health Professional Shortage Areas are in rural areas, and each state proposes to use at least some of the funding for healthcare workforce issues.

HRSA: Privacy Act of 1974; System of Records

Tue, 19 May 2026 00:00:00 -0500

The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) is establishing a new system of records, Graduate Medical Education (GME) Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) Resident Assessment Records. The system will contain records about medical and dental residents training in children's hospitals and teaching health centers, which are used to justify the number of residents counted in calculated GME payments to the hospitals and health centers and avoid duplicate reimbursements. This notice is effective May 19, 2026, except for routine uses described in detail in this notice. Comments on this notice and the routine uses are due by June 18, 2026.