Rural Health & Human Services News by Topic: Healthcare facilities - 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.

WVU Medicine Opens New Wound Care Clinic in New Martinsville, Expanding Rural Access

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

A new wound care clinic has opened in rural West Virginia. Notes that rural residents are more likely to experience diabetes and vascular conditions, diseases associated with slow to heal wounds and increased risk of infection.

Teleoncology Program Improves Rural Access to Medical Help

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

Describes a teleoncology program in a rural Idaho hospital. The program allows cancer patients to meet with specialists through telehealth while using local facilities for lab work and treatment.

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.

RBS: Notice of Revision of a Currently Approved Information Collection: OMB No. 0570-0067

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

Notice from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Business-Cooperative Service (RBS) seeking comments on proposed revisions to an information collection package for Rural Energy for America (REAP) program, which provides guaranteed loan financing and grant funding to agricultural producers and rural small businesses for renewable energy systems or to make energy efficiency improvements. Comments are due by May 1, 2026.

Thompson, Tokuda, Alford, and Cuellar Lead Effort to Help Protect Critical Access Hospitals

Thu, 26 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0600

Announces a bipartisan bill that would create a new Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) hospital designation called an "In Character" Critical Access Hospital. The new designation would ensure hospitals already designated as CAHs do not lose their designation and directs the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to provide administration for the designation.

HRSA: Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection: Public Comment Request; Information Collection Request Title: 340B Rebate Model Pilot Program Application, Implementation, and Evaluation, OMB Number 0906-NEW

Thu, 26 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0600

Notice from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) seeking comments on a proposed information collection request titled "340B Rebate Model Pilot Program Application, Implementation, and Evaluation, OMB No. 0906-XXXX." This information collection request includes the collection of proposed rebate model plans from qualifying drug manufacturers, the ongoing collection of sales data from drug manufacturers for program evaluation and 340B Program integrity and compliance monitoring, and the collection of data submitted by covered entities to manufacturers to request a rebate in connection with a potential 340B Rebate Model Pilot Program. Comments are due by April 27, 2026.

USDA Celebrates Opening of New Critical Access Hospital in Harlowton

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

Discusses the opening of a new Critical Access Hospital in Montana. Highlights the U.S. Department of Agriculture and other funding that made the new facility possible.

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.

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

Fri, 13 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0600

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is seeking comments on the following information collections: 1) Medicare Advantage and Prescription Drug Program; 2) National Implementation of the Outpatient and Ambulatory Surgery Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (OAS CAHPS); and 3) Elimination of Cost-Sharing for Full Benefit Dual-Eligible Individuals Receiving Home and Community-Based Services. Comments are due by March 16, 2026.

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

Fri, 13 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0600

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is seeking comments on the following information collections: 1) Emergency and Foreign Hospital Services and Supporting Regulation in 42 CFR 424.103; 2) Consumer Experience Survey Data Collection; 3) Summary of Benefits and Coverage and Uniform Glossary; and 4) Transformed—Medicaid Statistical Information System (T-MSIS). Comments are due by April 14, 2026.

Mississippi Senate Pushes to Let Rural Hospitals Offer New Services

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0600

Highlights policy efforts in the Mississippi legislature aiming to support rural hospitals in creating new revenue streams through new services. The proposed legislation amends certificate of need regulations in the state.

Rural Cancer Patients Benefit From Local Surgical Care

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

An analysis published in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons found that rural adults with colon or lung cancer who had surgery for cancer closer to their homes had similar outcomes to those who went to more distant urban facilities. The study provides preliminary evidence that complex surgery for some cancers can be performed and with good results at smaller community hospitals.

Salinas, Moolenaar, Tokuda, Moylan Lead Bipartisan Effort To Save Rural Hospitals And Clinics

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

Congressional representatives Andrea Salinas (OR), John Moolenaar (MI), Jill Tokuda (HI), and James Moylan (Guam) have introduced the Rural Health Care Facilities Revitalization Act, a bill to strengthen the nation's rural healthcare infrastructure and ease financial pressures faced by rural hospitals. The bill authorizes rural health facilities to use Community Facility Loans or loan guarantees from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to refinance debt, update technology, and support operating expenses to ensure financial stability.

Financial Fix, Quality Flaw: Lessons From Pennsylvania's Rural Health Model

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

An evaluation of the Pennsylvania Rural Health Model, describing changes intended to improve care quality, increase access to preventive services, and address local community health needs.

Chartis Announces Top 100 Critical Access Hospitals and Top 100 Rural & Community Hospitals for 2026

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

Chartis Center for Rural Health has announced results of its annual awards program, based on data from the Chartis Rural Hospital Performance INDEX. The program recognizes outstanding performance among rural hospitals.

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.

Alabama Rural Hospital Program Hits $20 Million Cap, Association Seeks Increase

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

The Alabama Rural Hospital Investment Program, approved during the 2024 legislative session, reached its tax credit cap in just one month. The program encourages donations through tax credits, and officials from the Alabama Rural Hospital Association hope the cap can be increased, so that more hospitals can benefit from the program.

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

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

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is seeking comments on the following information collections: 1) Emergency Preparedness Requirements for Medicare and Medicaid Participating Providers and Suppliers; 2) 13th SOW Quality Innovation Network—Quality Improvement Organization (QIN-QIO) and American Indian Alaskan Native (AIAN) Measure Data Collection; and 3) Conditions of Participation for Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facilities' (PRTFs) Use of Restraint & Seclusion. Comments are due by March 9, 2026.

CMS: Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request

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

Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) seeking comments on the reinstatement of an information collection titled "Requirements Related to Surprise Billing; Part II." This information collection has two components: 1) good faith estimates and 2) certification and recertification of SDR entities. Comments are due by April 6, 2026.

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

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

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is seeking comments on the following information collections: 1) Bid Pricing Tool (BPT) for Medicare Advantage (MA) Plans and Prescription Drug Plans (PDP); and 2) Complaints Submission Process under the No Surprises Act. 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.

CMS: Medicaid Program; Preserving Medicaid Funding for Vulnerable Populations-Closing a Health Care-Related Tax Loophole

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

Notice of final rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) closing a loophole in a regulatory statistical test applied to State proposals for Medicaid tax waivers. The loophole allows some healthcare-related taxes, especially taxes on managed care organizations, to be imposed at higher tax rates on Medicaid taxable units than non-Medicaid taxable units. This rule adds additional safeguards to ensure that tax waivers that exploit the loophole are not approved. This final rule also summarizes comments CMS received in response to the proposed rule, including the impact of changes to healthcare-related tax revenues on rural providers. These regulations are effective April 3, 2026.

RBS, RHS, RUS: Notice of Funding Opportunities for the Strategic Economic and Community Development Program for FY 2026

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

Notice from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Rural Business-Cooperative Service (RBS), Rural Housing Service (RHS), and Rural Utilities Service (RUS) providing application requirements for funding reserved under the Strategic Economic and Community Development (SECD) priority program. USDA is implementing SECD in fiscal year 2026 by reserving funds from the covered program. This notice describes the requirements by which RD will consider projects eligible for covered programs' reserved funds and information needed to apply.

CMS: Medicare Program; Ensuring Safety Through Domestic Security With Made in America Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and Essential Medicine Procurement by Medicare Participating Hospitals

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

Notice of proposed rulemaking from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) seeking comments on potential options for Medicare participating hospitals to help foster a more resilient supply chain for American-made personal protective equipment and essential medicines, as well as a possible new "Secure American Medical Supplies" friendly designation that could be earned by hospitals. Among other things, this notice also seeks input on a potential new structural quality measure as part of the Hospital Inpatient Quality Reporting (IQR) Program that could promote hospital commitments to invest in domestic procurement. Comments are due by March 30, 2026.

CDC: Agency Forms Undergoing Paperwork Reduction Act Review

Tue, 20 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0600

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is allowing an additional 30 days for comments on a proposed information collection project titled "National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN)." This information collection is designed to provides facilities, states, regions, and the nation with data necessary to identify problem areas, measure the progress of prevention efforts, and ultimately eliminate healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) nationwide. Comments are due within 30 days of this notice.

CDC: Agency Forms Undergoing Paperwork Reduction Act Review

Thu, 15 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0600

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is allowing an additional 30 days for comments on a proposed information collection project titled "Assessment and Monitoring of Breastfeeding-Related Maternity Care in Intrapartum Care Facilities in the United States and Territories." The Maternity Practices in Infant Nutrition and Care (mPINC) survey is a census of maternity care hospitals in the United States and territories to better understand national breastfeeding supportive maternity practices and changes in these practices over time. Information collected will be used to identify, document, and share information related to changes in practices processes over time at the hospital, state, regional, and national levels. Comments are due within 30 days of this notice.

Selma Expands Access to Specialty Care with New Rural Health Medical Program Podiatry Center

Sun, 11 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0600

Highlights a new health center in rural Alabama offering podiatry services. Describes rural disparities in accessing specialty care and the associated poor outcomes.

HRSA: Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection: Public Comment Request; Information Collection Request Title: Enrollment and Re-Certification of Entities in the 340B Drug Pricing Program, OMB No. 0915-0327-Revision

Thu, 08 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0600

Notice from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) seeking comments on an information collection request titled "Enrollment and Re-Certification of Entities in the 340B Drug Pricing Program, OMB No. 0915-0327—Revision." HRSA requires covered entities to submit administrative information, certifying information, and attestation from appropriate grantee-level or entity-level authorizing officials and primary contacts in order to enroll and certify the eligibility of federally funded grantees and other safety net health care providers. Comments are due by February 9, 2026.