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

HHS Awards Nearly $25 Million to Strengthen Small Rural Hospitals and Preserve Access to Care

Thu, 10 Sep 2026 00:00:00 -0500

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has announced awards to 132 hospitals in 13 states through the Rural Hospital Provider Assistance Program. This will help eligible small rural hospitals maintain their workforce, sustain essential services, and strengthen patients' access to care.

CMS: Medicare Program; Town Hall Meeting on the Fiscal Year 2028 Applications for New Technology Add-On Payments

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

Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announcing a virtual town hall meeting to be held on December 9-10, 2026, to discuss FY 2028 applications for add-on payments for new medical services and technologies under the Medicare Hospital Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS). Information on how to join the meeting will be posted on the New Technology website. The deadline to register to present at the meeting is November 2, 2026. Written comments and agenda items for discussion at the meeting are due by November 12, 2026.

One Rural Hospital Offers Hope Amid Nationwide Rural Maternity Ward Closures

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

Discusses the impact of labor and delivery department closures across the nation and highlights one Minnesota hospital that has managed to maintain labor and delivery services in spite of the trends. Describes budgeting and patient relationships as key factors in their success.

USDA Rural Development Celebrates Groundbreaking of New Hospital in Delhi, Louisiana, with $79.1M Investment

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

Highlights a new hospital in rural Louisiana funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development's Community Facilities Program. The new facility will offer area residents greater access and a more modern experience by replacing the existing facility.

MedPAC's Analytic Agenda for the 2026-2027 Meeting Cycle

Wed, 26 Aug 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Highlights the agenda for MedPAC meetings in 2026-2027. Topics to be discussed include Medicare Part D spending, the enrollment process, quality measurement and value-based payment programs, cost-sharing liability for Rural Health Clinics, the impact of converting a hospital to Rural Emergency Hospital (REH) status, reimbursement rates including for REHs, and Medicare Advantage (MA). Offers recommendations for engaging with the group and information on scheduled publications.

Non-Profit Pharmaceutical Manufacturer Delivers Drug Access to Rural Hospitals

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

Highlights a philanthropic program in 9 states to ensure rural hospitals have access to generic drugs during drug shortages. Discusses how the pilot program will offer rural hospitals more consistency in drug availability, potential cost savings, and the goal to offer the program nationally.

5 Lessons Rural Maternal Care Providers Want You to Know

Wed, 12 Aug 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Offers recommendations and highlights rural assets for maternal healthcare, based on insights from leaders of 3 rural Iowa hospitals. Discusses upskilling and training the workforce, adapting guidelines, driving change, provider-patient relationships, and professional networking.

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 (FY) 2027 Rates; Requirements for Quality Programs; Other Policy Changes; and Adoption of Updated Versions of Certain Health Information Technology Standards

Tue, 04 Aug 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Notice of a final rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) revising the hospital inpatient prospective payment system (IPPS) for operating and capital-related costs of acute care hospitals for fiscal year 2027. This rule also makes changes to Medicare graduate medical education (GME) for teaching hospitals; payment policies and the annual payment rates for the Medicare prospective payment system (PPS) for inpatient hospital services provided by long-term care hospitals; and requirements for certain quality programs, among other things. The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) also adopts certain health information technology (health IT) standards and specifications on behalf of HHS. These regulations are effective October 1, 2026.

Hospitals Can Close Rural Cancer Care Gaps Through New American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer Accreditation Category

Tue, 04 Aug 2026 00:00:00 -0500

The American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer has added a new accreditation category for rural hospitals with the goal of improving healthcare quality and outcomes for cancer patients. Notes that there are fewer accredited hospitals and less access to specialty care in rural areas.

CMS: Medicare Program; Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility Prospective Payment System for Federal Fiscal Year 2027 and Updates to the IRF Quality Reporting Program

Mon, 03 Aug 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Notice of a final rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) updating the prospective payment system (PPS) rates for inpatient rehabilitation facilities (IRFs) for fiscal year 2027. Among other things, this rule includes classification and weighting factors for the IRF prospective payment system's case-mix groups, finalizes the third and final year of the 3-year phase-out of the rural adjustments, and updates the IRF Quality Reporting Program and changes to the Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (DMEPOS) Competitive Bidding Program. This rule also summarizes comments received in response to requests for information regarding alternative data sources for the IRF PPS wage index and potential future IRF PPS payment reform. These regulations are effective October 1, 2026.

Chickasaw Nation to Open One of the Largest First American Hospitals in the Country

Mon, 03 Aug 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Highlights a new medical center opening between Oklahoma City and a tribal reservation. The medical center is intended to bring healthcare services closer to Chickasaw Nation. The facility will include inpatient care, surgical services, labor and delivery, dental care, a pharmacy, research space, and more.

Hyde-Smith Cosponsors New Bipartisan Legislation to Strengthen Rural Hospitals

Fri, 31 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Announces new bipartisan legislation that would increase access to the Rural Emergency Hospital (REH) program. The bill would both add eligibility flexibility for current hospitals at risk of closure and expand access for some previously closed rural hospitals. The bill would also allow REHs to offer inpatient psychiatric care, offer limited inpatient rehabilitation services, and enter into swing bed agreements. Also notes other legislation to support rural healthcare.

Thompson Introduces Legislation to Strengthen Rural Hospitals' Cybersecurity Infrastructure

Mon, 27 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Announces new proposed bipartisan legislation to protect rural hospitals from cyberattacks. The bill includes cybersecurity workforce development strategies, training for rural hospital staffs, and regular updates to Congress on implementation.

An Ohio University Professor's Research Shows the Struggles of Rural Hospitals Are Complex

Fri, 24 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Interview with Cory Cronin, associate professor at Ohio University's Department of Social and Public Health. He discusses the issues involved in nonprofit rural hospitals spending their community benefit budgets, a requirement to invest in improving the health of the local community overall.

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

Tue, 21 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0500

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is seeking comments on the following information collections: 1) Transformed—Medicaid Statistical Information System (T-MSIS) and 2) the In-Center Hemodialysis Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems Survey Mode Experiment. Comments are due by September 21, 2026.

Texas Develops Academy for Rural Hospital Leaders

Mon, 20 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Announces a new free program for rural hospital administrators and other leaders in Texas to provide professional development and continuing education. The program was created through state legislation and is expected to launch in 2027.