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

What Does It Take to Restore Rural Maternity Care? One NC Hospital Shows a Way.

Fri, 06 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0600

Profiles a labor and delivery department in a rural North Carolina Critical Access Hospital. Maternity services were re-started in 2020 using family physicians after closing the department in 1991. Describes maternity care access across North Carolina, challenges with sustaining the service for rural communities, and how they can be a model to other rural communities.

Building Health Care Between the 4 Mountains: New Navajo Nation Medical Center Faces Hurdles

Thu, 05 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0600

Describes challenges around building a new hospital on Navajo Nation. Discusses working within multiple levels of governments, funding, incorporating traditional medicine and facilities, and attracting workforce.

New MLS Extended Program Seeks to Fill the Gap in Rural Medical Laboratories

Thu, 05 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0600

Highlights the new Medical Laboratory Sciences Extended Internship Program at an Arkansas university. The program aims to reduce rural medical laboratory staff shortages in Arkansas and nearby states by training local students. An increase in rural lab staff would both speed up lab processing times and decrease the cost of care.

Two Years of Rural CHW 4Ms Training, Development, and Leadership in Texas

Mon, 02 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0600

Describes progress made and upcoming plans for a grant aiming to train community health workers in Texas to deliver the 4Ms of Age-Friendly Care. This work is part of the National Rural Age-Friendly Initiative, an initiative developed through a partnership between the National Rural Health Association and The John A. Hartford Foundation.

HRSA Reaffirms Commitment to Rural America During the National Rural Health Association Policy Institute

Mon, 02 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0600

Summarizes remarks from Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) and the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy (FORHP) administrators at the 2026 National Rural Health Association Policy Institute. Discusses workforce, healthcare delivery, administration priorities, the Rural Health Transformation Program, and more.

CMS: Agency Information Collection Activities: Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

Mon, 02 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0600

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is seeking comments on an information collection titled "Medicare Enrollment Application for Physician and Non-Physician Practitioners." The Form CMS-855I is the enrollment application submitted by physicians and non-physician practitioners to ensure the applicant has the necessary credentials to provide the healthcare services for which they intend to bill Medicare. Comments are due by April 1, 2026.

Mercer Simulation Devices Aim to Fill Need in Rural Medical Training

Tue, 24 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0600

Highlights two new 3D printed, low-cost simulation devices that may make training rural and other limited resource institutions more accessible. Discusses the high cost of simulation devices, how the devices were tested, and the involvement of engineering students in developing the devices.

A Look at CU's Pipeline for Rural Doctors

Tue, 24 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0600

Describes workforce shortages in rural Colorado and a rural-focused program in the University of Colorado Denver Anschutz School of Medicine aiming to reduce those shortages. Highlights the programs attention to rural training and preparing students for family medicine.

CMS: Medicare Program; Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment and Ambulatory Surgical Center Payment Systems; Quality Reporting Programs; Overall Hospital Quality Star Rating; Hospital Price Transparency; and Notice of Closure of a Teaching Hospital and Opportunity To Apply for Available Slots; Correction

Mon, 23 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0600

Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) making technical corrections to the November 25, 2025, final rule. This correction is applicable January 1, 2026.

Philanthropy Expands Rural Health Scholars Program to Address Primary Care Shortages Across Pennsylvania

Fri, 20 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0600

Highlights philanthropic support for a rural workforce program at the Penn State College of Medicine. Discusses recruiting rural students into medical programs as a strategy to solve rural workforce shortages, as well as mobile care delivery and innovation to improve access to care for rural residents.

HHS: Agency Information Collection Request. 60-Day Public Comment Request

Fri, 20 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0600

Notice from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Office of Minority Health (OMH) seeking comments on the reinstatement of an information collection titled "OMH Think Cultural Health." The Think Cultural Health (TCH) website is an initiative of HHS OMH that provides resources and tools to promote cultural and linguistic competency in health and healthcare. The information collected will be used to enable health and healthcare professionals to register for courses; obtain accredited continuing education credits; and help ensure that TCH offerings remain relevant, useful, and responsive to the needs of their target audiences. Comments are due by April 21, 2026.

Missouri Grant Funds New Rural Physician Training at MU Health Care Clinics

Thu, 19 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0600

Discusses the work of resident physicians in rural Missouri. A new rural residency program has placed 2 residents in rural communities, improving access for those in the area.

Meharry Medical College Brings More Care to Rural Tennessee

Wed, 18 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0600

Describes a Tennessee university's mobile dental care program bringing access to oral care into rural communities. Notes the potential improvements on both health outcomes and the dental workforce in the area.

5 Innovations Strengthening the Rural Health Care Workforce

Tue, 17 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0600

Highlights a presentation at the American Hospital Association's Rural Health Care Leadership Conference describing 5 strategies for rural health workforce development.

School Of Medicine Receives Over $600,000 To Continue Fighting Opioid Epidemic

Wed, 11 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0600

The Georgia Opioid Crisis Abatement Trust has awarded more than $600,000 to research and prevention projects at Mercer University School of Medicine. The projects address substance use in Georgia and emphasize prevention, treatment, and impact in rural communities most affected by the opioid epidemic.

High-Tech Skin Cancer Training Meets Rural Health Care

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0600

The Teledermatology Serving Georgia program offers primary care providers hands-on training in dermatology procedures. The project will lead to timely interventions and improved patient outcomes, especially for those living in rural and medically underserved areas.

State of Delaware Opens Initial RFPS to Transform Rural Health Care

Mon, 09 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0600

Announces new requests for proposals (RFPs) as part of Delaware's Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) efforts. The RFPs call for projects supporting opening Delaware's first medical school, opening new school-based health centers, establishing nutrition-based infrastructure, and supporting mobile health units and other community-based health access points. Describes Delaware's RHTP goals and how to apply. Notes that additional RFPs will be announced in the spring.

Governor Signs Two Bills That Could Boost Emergency Medical Staffing

Mon, 09 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0600

South Dakota Governor Larry Rhoden has signed a bill protecting nurses who provide care in ambulances and another bill adding firefighters and law enforcement officers to the statutory definition of "ambulance operator." The bills will help improve the continuum of care in rural areas.

How One University Trains and Retains Rural Care Providers

Mon, 09 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0600

Touro University's medical and dental schools have built clinics and workforce pipelines in rural areas of California and New Mexico. The initiative gives students community-based training while increasing healthcare access for patients.

Rural Medical Partnership Gives Students Hands-On Experience, Aims to Address Iowa Provider Shortages

Thu, 05 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0600

Describes the experience gained by Iowa medical students in a program aiming to reduce rural physician shortages by exposing students to rural healthcare opportunities.

Loper Spotlight: UNK Freshman Avery Lowther Is Committed to Rural Health Care

Thu, 05 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0600

Profiles a Nebraska freshman college student aiming to practice medicine in a rural community. Describes her experiences growing up in a rural area, interactions with the medical system, and what drew her to her rural-focused program.

DEA: Registering Emergency Medical Services Agencies Under the Protecting Patient Access to Emergency Medications Act of 2017

Thu, 05 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0600

Notice of final rule from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) establishing a new registration category for emergency medical services (EMS) agencies that handle controlled substances in accordance with the statutory requirements of the Protecting Patient Access to Emergency Medications Act of 2017. This rule creates standards for registering EMS agencies; establishes requirements for delivery, storage, and recordkeeping related to their handling of controlled substances; and allows EMS professionals to administer controlled substances outside the physical presence of a medical director or authorizing medical professional while providing emergency medical services. This rule is effective March 9, 2026.

Special Delivery: Aggies Work To Support Obstetrics in Rural Communities

Wed, 04 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0600

The Texas Legislature has provided funding through the Rural Engagement Program for Texas A&M Health to develop a practical program to train emergency room personnel to treat expectant mothers in rural Texas. The multidisciplinary training is designed for staff who may be the first to respond to an obstetric emergency.

KY Lawmaker Wants EMS Reimbursements Increased to Address Shortages

Wed, 04 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0600

Describes proposed policy to increase emergency medical service (EMS) reimbursement rates in Kentucky. Highlights long response times across the state, particularly for rural residents, and the strain that underfunding puts on EMS workforce.

Cortez Masto, Rounds Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Improve Health Outcomes for Tribal Communities

Tue, 03 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0600

Announces bipartisan legislation to elevate the Director of the Indian Health Service (IHS) to the Assistant Secretary for Indian Health within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The change would allow for greater authority in recruiting and retaining IHS workforce.

HRSA: Request for Public Comment on the Updated Criteria for Determining Maternity Care Health Professional Target Areas

Tue, 03 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0600

Notice from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) seeking comments on proposed updates to the criteria for determining Maternity Care Target Areas (MCTAs), geographic areas within Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs) that have a shortage of maternity care health professionals. Comments are due by March 5, 2026.

New Learning Network on Increasing Access to Primary Care in Rural Communities

Mon, 02 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0600

Announces a new learning network from the National Academy for State Health Policy offering state level officials a forum for sharing approaches for strengthening rural primary care systems. Discussions will include recent relevant federal policy, workforce, facilities, funding, technology, and administration. Includes an interest form to learn more.

FY 2027 H-1B Cap Initial Registration Period Opens on March 4

Fri, 30 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0600

Announces the fiscal year 2027 registration period for H-1B visas, running March 4th through March 19th. Describes new regulations for the registration process.

Indian Health Service Launches Largest Hiring Effort in Agency History

Thu, 29 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0600

Announces hiring plans for the Indian Health Service (IHS), noting that filling vacancies in rural and remote locations has the highest priority. Includes information on how to apply for current and future positions.

DOD: Modifications to the Reimbursement of Childbirth Support Services Under the TRICARE Childbirth and Breastfeeding Support Demonstration

Thu, 29 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0600

Notice from the Department of Defense (DOD) Director of the Defense Health Agency (DHA) announcing adjustments to the certified labor doulas (CLDs) performing childbirth support services under the Childbirth and Breastfeeding Support Demonstration (CBSD). This notice announces changes to the reimbursement methodology for childbirth support services intended to stabilize reimbursement. DHA is modifying reimbursement for childbirth support services so that the rate approved for March 1, 2025, will be considered a "baseline." The DHA Director will approve a new baseline if it is found that TRICARE reimbursement is not keeping pace with Medicaid reimbursement. The new reimbursement methodology will be effective for rates beginning March 1, 2026.