https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/news/topics/legislation-and-regulations Rural Health & Human Services News by Topic: Legislation and regulations - Rural Health Information Hub en Copyright 2026 Rural Health Information Hub https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/08/17/2026-16760/supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program-changes-in-federal-state-administrative-cost-sharing Notice from the Food and Nutrition Administration (FNA) extending the comment period for the <a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/06/24/2026-12696/supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program-changes-in-federal-state-administrative-cost-sharing">June 24, 2026, proposed rule</a> titled "Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program: Changes in Federal-State Administrative Cost Sharing." Comments are now due September 8, 2026. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/news/38885 Mon, 17 Aug 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.federalregister.gov/public-inspection/2026-16508/medicaid-program-prohibition-on-federal-medicaid-and-childrens-health-insurance-program-funding-for Notice of a final rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) prohibiting the use of Medicaid funds for procedures identified as gender-affirming care for children under 18. Additionally, the rule prohibits the use of federal Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) funds for procedures identified as gender-affirming care for children under 19. This rule is effective October 13, 2026. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/news/38872 Thu, 13 Aug 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/08/11/2026-16348/notice-of-availability-of-final-health-center-program-scope-of-project-policy-manual-guidance Notice from the Health Resources and Services Administration providing the Health Center Program Scope of Project Policy Manual which offers guidance on the Health Center Program project under section 330 of the Public Health Service (PHS) Act. Also includes a link to comments on a previous draft of the manual. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/news/38867 Tue, 11 Aug 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/08/11/2026-16368/medicare-program-regulatory-alignment-for-predictable-and-immediate-device-rapid-coverage-pathway Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) requesting comments on the process used to accelerate Medicare coverage through the Regulatory Alignment for Predictable and Immediate Device (RAPID) coverage pathway for new technologies. The RAPID coverage pathway will provide accelerated Medicare beneficiary access to certain eligible Class II and Class III Food and Drug Administration Breakthrough-designated Devices. Comments are due October 13, 2026. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/news/38866 Tue, 11 Aug 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/08/10/2026-16231/9-11-response-and-biometric-entry-exit-fee-for-h-1b-and-l-1-visas Notice of final rule from the Department of Homeland Security amending regulations regarding the 9-11 Response and Biometric Entry-Exit Fee for certain H-1B and L-1 petitions. Includes a summary of comments on the policy. The regulation is effective September 9, 2026. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/news/38864 Mon, 10 Aug 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/08/07/2026-16134/reducing-federal-burden-for-head-start-programs Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) from the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) proposing to rescind and replace the Head Start Program Performance Standards. Among other things, the proposed revisions intend to reduce Federal regulation and duplication; empower states, local programs, and families with greater authority and flexibility; advance the health and well-being of children and communities; and reinforce evidence-based standards for health, nutrition, and physical activity. Comments are due by October 6, 2026. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/news/38855 Fri, 07 Aug 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/08/05/2026-15865/agency-information-collection-activity-under-omb-review-va-health-professional-scholarship-programs Notice from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) seeking comments on forms related to the VA Health Professional Scholarship Program (HPSP) and Visual Impairment and Orientation and Mobility Professionals Scholarship Program (VIOMPSP). The information collected is used for VA to determine an applicant's eligibility to receive a scholarship award and compliance with program requirements. Comments are due by September 4, 2026. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/news/38845 Wed, 05 Aug 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/08/04/2026-15833/medicare-program-hospital-inpatient-prospective-payment-systems-for-acute-care-hospitals-ipps-and 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. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/news/38836 Tue, 04 Aug 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/08/03/2026-15633/notice-regarding-340b-rebate-model-pilot-program Notice from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) announcing the availability of a revised 340B Rebate Model Pilot Program (Pilot). The Pilot provides a rebate mechanism through which qualifying drug manufacturers may effectuate the 340B ceiling price for certain drugs sold to covered entities. Eligible manufacturers seeking to participate in the 340B Rebate Model Pilot Program must submit plans to <a href="mailto:340BPricing@hrsa.gov">340BPricing@hrsa.gov</a> by August 24, 2026, for an effective date of January 1, 2027. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/news/38835 Mon, 03 Aug 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/08/03/2026-15686/medicare-program-fy-2027-hospice-wage-index-and-payment-rate-update-and-hospice-quality-reporting Notice of a final rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) updating the hospice wage index, payment rates, and aggregate cap amount for fiscal year 2027. Among other things, this rule finalizes conforming regulation text changes to discharge from hospice care regulations and the face-to-face encounter regulations. This rule also summarizes comments received in response to requests for information regarding community-based palliative care; the construction of a hospice-specific wage index; and the overlap between hospice and medical aid in dying laws. These regulations are effective October 1, 2026. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/news/38826 Mon, 03 Aug 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/08/03/2026-15652/medicare-program-inpatient-rehabilitation-facility-prospective-payment-system-for-federal-fiscal 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. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/news/38827 Mon, 03 Aug 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.capito.senate.gov/news/press-releases/capito-colleagues-introduce-bill-to-increase-health-care-training-in-remote-and-rural-areas Announces bipartisan legislation supporting specialty medical education and training for rural primary care providers using technology and the Project ECHO model. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/news/38843 Mon, 03 Aug 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.hrsa.gov/about/news/press-releases/revised-340b-program-2026 Announces the revised 340B Rebate Model Pilot Program to use a claims-based rebate approach. Eligible manufacturers must submit rebate plans by August 24, 2026 for pricing periods effective January 1, 2027. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/news/38831 Fri, 31 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/07/31/2026-15567/reducing-bureaucracy-and-burden-for-family-assistance-programs Notice of final rule from the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) amending the following to eliminate unnecessary or obsolete regulations: 1) Grants to States for Public Assistance Programs, 2) General Administration—State Plans and Grant Appeals, 3) General Administration—Public Assistance Programs, 4) Training and Use of Subprofessionals and Volunteers, 5) Coverage and Conditions of Eligibility in Financial Assistance Programs, 6) Financial Assistance to Individuals, 7) Administration of Financial Assistance Programs, 8) Fiscal Administration of Financial Assistance Programs, 9) General Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Provisions, 10) Ensuring That Recipients Work, 11) the Accountability Provisions—General, 12) Expenditures of State and Federal TANF Funds, 13) Other Accountability Provisions, 14) Data Collection and Reporting Requirements, 15) High Performance Bonus Awards, 16) the Implementation of Section 403(a)(2) of the Social Security Act Bonus to Reward Decrease in Illegitimacy Ratio, 17) Methodology for Determining Whether an Increase in a State or Territory's Child Poverty Rate Is the Result of the TANF Program, 18) Tribal TANF Provisions, and 19) The Native Employment Works (NEW) Program. This rule is effective September 29, 2026. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/news/38830 Fri, 31 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.hydesmith.senate.gov/hyde-smith-cosponsors-new-bipartisan-legislation-strengthen-rural-hospitals 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. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/news/38842 Fri, 31 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/07/31/2026-15562/medicare-program-prospective-payment-system-and-consolidated-billing-for-skilled-nursing-facilities Notice of final rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) updating the skilled nursing facility (SNF) prospective payment system (PPS) payment rates for fiscal year 2027. This rule also updates the requirements for the SNF Quality Reporting Program and the SNF Value-Based Purchasing Program. These regulations are effective October 1, 2026. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/news/38820 Fri, 31 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/07/31/2026-15588/medicare-program-fy-2027-inpatient-psychiatric-facilities-prospective-payment-system-rate-update Notice of final rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) updating the FY 2027 prospective payment rates, outlier threshold, and wage index for Medicare Inpatient Hospital Services provided by inpatient psychiatric facilities (IPF), including psychiatric hospitals and excluded psychiatric units of an acute care hospital or Critical Access Hospital. Among other things, this rule also refines the IPF PPS outlier policy, implements a standardized IPF patient assessment, and removes two measures used in the IPF Quality Reporting Program. These regulations are effective October 1, 2026. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/news/38819 Fri, 31 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/07/30/2026-15323/national-center-for-health-statistics-meeting-of-the-icd-10-coordination-and-maintenance-committee Announces a virtual public meeting of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), Classifications and Public Health Data Standards, ICD-10 Coordination and Maintenance (C&M) Committee to be held on September 15-16, 2026. The agenda includes a discussion of ICD-10-CM and ICD-10-PCS topics, a list of which is provided in the notice. <a href="https://cdc.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_18C-Xz4MROugqMEWCew6YA">Registration</a> is required. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/news/38817 Thu, 30 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/king-leads-bill-to-expand-mental-health-care-access-in-rural-maine-communities Announces new proposed legislation that would offer federal funding to incentivize interstate mental healthcare through telehealth with the goal of increasing access to care for rural communities. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/news/38814 Tue, 28 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://thompson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/thompson-introduces-legislation-strengthen-rural-hospitals 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. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/news/38813 Mon, 27 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/07/23/2026-14897/medicaid-program-amending-the-indirect-hold-harmless-threshold-of-health-care-related-taxes Notice of a proposed rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) proposing the revision of standards for determining whether an indirect hold harmless arrangement exists for a healthcare-related tax. Also proposes sunsetting a secondary prong to the indirect hold harmless determination to ensure the thresholds determined as of July 4, 2025, serve as the maximum permissible level and adding a new permissible class to enhance CMS oversight of healthcare-related taxes. Comments are due by September 21, 2026. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/news/38791 Thu, 23 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/07/21/2026-14709/patient-protection-and-affordable-care-act-hhs-notice-of-benefit-and-payment-parameters-for-2027-and Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services making technical and typographical corrections to the <a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/05/20/2026-10050/patient-protection-and-affordable-care-act-hhs-notice-of-benefit-and-payment-parameters-for-2027-and">May 20, 2026, final rule</a>. These corrections are effective July 20, 2026. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/news/38782 Tue, 21 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.crossroadstoday.com/news/health/texas-develops-academy-for-rural-hospital-leaders/article_37e85c0e-71f3-4e9d-88b6-4e1b7cf60b23.html 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. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/news/38790 Mon, 20 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/07/20/2026-14583/medicare-program-inflation-reduction-act-of-2022-ira-medicare-drug-price-negotiation-program-draft Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) seeking comments on draft guidance for the Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program regarding manufacturer effectuation of the maximum fair price in 2028 for the implementation of the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (IRA). Comments are due by September 18, 2026. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/news/38778 Mon, 20 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/07/17/2026-14394/agency-information-collection-activities-submission-for-omb-review-comment-request Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) seeking comments on the following information collections: 1) Application To Be a Qualified Entity to Receive Medicare Data for Performance Measurement/Reapplication/Annual Report Worksheet, and 2) Good Cause Processes. Comments are due by August 17, 2026. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/news/38779 Fri, 17 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/07/17/2026-14439/establishing-a-fixed-time-period-of-admission-and-an-extension-of-stay-procedure-for-nonimmigrant Notice of final rule from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) amending its regulations to change the admission period in the F, J, and I classifications from duration of status to an admission for a fixed time period, and to change to admission and extension requirements. This rule also summarizes comments received in response to the <a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/08/28/2025-16554/establishing-a-fixed-time-period-of-admission-and-an-extension-of-stay-procedure-for-nonimmigrant">August 28, 2025, proposed rule</a>, including comments related to health workforce education and training, among other things. This rule is effective September 15, 2026. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/news/38834 Fri, 17 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/07/16/2026-14327/medicare-and-medicaid-programs-cy-2027-payment-policies-under-the-physician-fee-schedule-and-other Notice of a proposed rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) addressing: 1) changes to the Physician Fee Schedule and Medicare Part B payment policies; 2) policies for the Medicare Prescription Drug Inflation Rebate Program under the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022; 3) the Ambulatory Specialty Model; 4) updates to drugs and biological products paid under Part B; 5) Medicare Shared Savings Program requirements; 6) updates to the Quality Payment Program; 7) updates to policies for Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs); 8) updates to the Ambulance Fee Schedule regulations; 9) codification of the Inflation Reduction Act and Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026 provisions; 10) updates to Clinical Laboratory Fee Schedule regulations; and 11) updates to the Medicare Promoting Interoperability Program. Comments are due on September 14, 2026. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/news/38765 Thu, 16 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.farmprogress.com/farm-life/tick-borne-allergy-explodes-in-missouri Discusses an increase in cases of alpha-gal syndrome in Missouri, particularly among rural residents and farmers. Notes proposed legislation that aims to improve tracking of positive cases in the state. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/news/38768 Tue, 14 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/07/10/2026-13999/facilitating-implementation-of-next-generation-911-services-ng911-improving-911-reliability Notice of proposed rule from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regarding the interoperability and accessibility of Next Generation 911 (NG911) networks. This Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking proposes requiring NG911 service providers to conduct multi-party interstate interoperability testing of 911 traffic and seeks comments on how 911 authorities can integrate advanced technology into NG911 networks to improve accessibility. Comments are due by August 10, 2026, and reply comments are due by September 8, 2026. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/news/38752 Fri, 10 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/07/10/2026-13998/facilitating-implementation-of-next-generation-911-services-ng911-improving-911-reliability Notice of final rule from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regarding the reliability and interoperability of emerging Next Generation 911 (NG911) networks. Among other things, this rule updates the definition of "covered 911 service provider" in the FCC's existing 911 reliability rules to ensure that the rules apply to service providers that control or operate critical pathways and components in NG911 networks, as well as updating reliability standards for providers of NG911 functions to ensure the reliable delivery of 911 traffic to NG911 delivery points. This rule is effective August 10, 2026. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/news/38750 Fri, 10 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0500