Rural Health & Human Services News by Topic: Healthcare needs and services - Rural Health Information Hub

Ohio University Researchers Expand Opioid Use Disorder Treatment with Nearly $4 Million NIH Grant to Improve Rural Primary Care Access

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

Announces funding for a study that will scale up a pilot project increasing access to opioid use disorder treatment in primary care across Ohio and West Virginia. Rural providers will have access to a mentor-based prescribing model. Also discusses how students have been involved with the research process.

CMS: Announcement of the Approval of COLA as an Accreditation Organization for the Specialty of Histocompatibility Under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988

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

Announcement from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) of the approval of the Commission on Laboratory Accreditation (COLA) as an accreditation organization for clinical laboratories under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 (CLIA) program for the specialty of histocompatibility. This approval is applicable from July 10, 2026, to June 10, 2031.

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

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

Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) seeking comments on the extension of an information collection titled "Physician Certifications/Recertifications in Skilled Nursing Facilities Manual Instruction." The physician certification and recertification is intended to ensure that the beneficiary's need for services has been established and then reviewed and updated at appropriate intervals and is a condition for Medicare Part A payment for post-hospital skilled nursing facility (SNF) care. Comments are due by July 10, 2026.

HHS: Chronic Disease of Addiction

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

Notice of a request for information (RFI) from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) regarding substance research, policy, and strategies to improve the prevention, treatment, recovery from mental illness and substance use. HHS seeks information from public, patients, people with lived experience of addiction and recovery, healthcare providers, community-based organizations, faith-based organizations, policymakers and others on improvements to the programs and policies of the United States government and HHS that focus on substance use, including opioid and polysubstance use, prevention, treatment, and recovery as well as mental health treatment prevention, and recovery in all age groups. Includes specific questions and topics of interest to HHS. Comments are due by July 5, 2026.

Veterinary Services Bill Would Improve Resources to Address Rural, Tribal Health Risks

Tue, 09 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0500

A new bill has been proposed aiming to expand veterinary care in rural and tribal communities. Describes the increase in animal-related injury and zoonotic diseases for communities with limited access to veterinary care.

NCDHHS Announces $10 Million for EMS Workforce Through NC Rural Health Transformation Program

Mon, 08 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) funding has been granted to 39 emergency medical services (EMS) agencies in North Carolina to enhance the EMS workforce as well as improve access to mental health and substance use disorder treatment and services through mobile integrated health. Describes drug overdose disparities in rural communities.

How VA's Telehealth Kidney Program Saves the Lives of Rural Veterans

Mon, 08 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Describes a recent study finding that a U.S. Veterans Administration (VA) telenephrology program improved mortality rates and increased guideline-directed medication prescriptions for veterans at rural VA clinics receiving treatment for chronic kidney disease. The program uses a hub-and-spoke system to connect rural veterans with specialized care. Notes additional research finding veterans are satisfied with telenephrology care.

Bringing Lung Cancer Screening to Rural Minnesota

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

Describes a pilot program that aims to increase lung cancer screenings in rural Minnesota. Discusses higher rates of tobacco use for rural adults compared to urban adults and how the program addresses cancer screening barriers through a "whole-of-office" approach.

CMS: Medicare Program; Alternative Payment Model Updates and the Increasing Organ Transplant Access (IOTA) Model

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

Notice of a final rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) updating and revising the Increasing Organ Transplant Access Model (IOTA Model) for Performance Year (PY) 2. The IOTA Model tests whether performance-based upside risk payments or downside risk payments paid to or owed by participating kidney transplant hospitals increase access to kidney transplants for patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) while preserving or enhancing the quality of care and reducing Medicare expenditures. This rule is effective July 1, 2026.

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

Fri, 29 May 2026 00:00:00 -0500

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is seeking comments on the extension of the generic information collection request (ICR) entitled Generic Clearance for Grant Program Monitoring Activities. Information collected is used by SAMHSA to perform agency program oversight activities such as monitoring progress on recipient activities, determining and responding to recipient's training and technical assistance needs, and ensure compliance with federal and programmatic requirements. Comments are due by July 28, 2026.

Chambers County Deputies Get Life-Saving Medical Equipment for Rural Emergencies

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

A rural Alabama county sheriff's office has purchased 16 automated external defibrillators and 2 trauma first aid kits. Notes that area emergency medical services units have large service areas and law enforcement often respond to emergencies more quickly.

Farm Credit Reaffirms Commitment to Customer-Owners with Tools, Initiatives Uplifting Rural Mental Health

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

Describes high rates of suicides for farmers and rural residents and highlights free resources and services supporting mental health for those populations.

Partnerships Bring Maine Mobile Health Unit, Free Maternal Services to Rural Families

Wed, 27 May 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Highlights a Maine mobile health unit as a solution for transportation barriers that keep rural residents from accessing healthcare. The unit offers maternal and child healthcare in addition to other services.

What's Going Around: Mercy Pilots Opioid Addiction Program to Reach Rural Communities

Wed, 27 May 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Highlights a rural Missouri hospital pilot program ensuring discharged patients with an opioid addiction have medication treatment and quick access to a substance use recovery program. The program aims to reduce chances of relapse and a return hospital visit.

How Dartmouth Health Is Using Telehealth to Keep Complex Births Close to Home

Wed, 27 May 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Describes a telehealth program connecting patients in New Hampshire and Vermont rural hospitals with neonatologists. Notes that nearly half of babies receiving a consult are able to stay at their local facility. Success of the program led to expanding into outpatient high-risk obstetrics care and fetal-maternal medicine services. Expansion into emergency obstetrics is also planned.

In Texas, Rural Nursing Homes Outperform Urban Facilities on Some Key Metrics

Wed, 27 May 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Analyzes Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) nursing home data to compare rural and urban staffing and health inspection ratings in Texas.

Access to Higher-Level Neonatal Care Depends on Where You Live