https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/news/topics/service-delivery-models Rural Health & Human Services News by Topic: Service delivery models - Rural Health Information Hub en Copyright 2026 Rural Health Information Hub https://www.wthitv.com/2026/08/05/united-way-knox-county-launches-mobile-outreach-bus-serve-rural-residents/ Highlights a new mobile outreach bus working in Knox County, Indiana. The bus aims to offer health and human services for those with transportation barriers, including people in the surrounding rural communities. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/news/38853 Wed, 05 Aug 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.hsrd.research.va.gov/news/research_news/telehealth-080426.cfm Summarizes recent research finding that the first 5 years of the Veterans Affairs Clinical Resource Hubs program saw increased use of telemental health services among rural veterans. The study also found a shift in care delivery from clinic-based video visits to video visits in patients' homes. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/news/38850 Tue, 04 Aug 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.kosu.org/rural-internet-portal-program Describes a statewide program to add high-speed internet portals in Oklahoma libraries. The portals will allow for telehealth appointments, job interviews, and more. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/news/38844 Mon, 03 Aug 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://wvumedicine.org/news/article/wvu-medicine/front-page/community-pharmacy-partnership-expands-heart-failure-care-across-rural-regions/ Describes a heart failure care program in rural West Virginia pharmacies. The program includes care coordination between local pharmacists and cardiovascular specialists to support consistent care and identify medication-related concerns early for rural patients. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/news/38838 Fri, 31 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://www.hsrd.research.va.gov/impacts/lung-cancer-comm-care.cfm Describes a Veterans Administration (VA) centralized process for a community care model of lung cancer screening and the impact on the timeliness of care, care fragmentation, and follow-up consultations for rural veterans. Notes that the successful pilot has led to the start of a national roll-out of the program. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/news/38793 Tue, 21 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/07/16/2026-14359/medicaid-and-childrens-health-insurance-program-chip-generic-information-collection-activities The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is seeking comments on the following information collections: 1) CHIP State Plan Eligibility; 2) Model Application Template and Instructions for State Child Health Plan Under Title XXI of the Social Security Act, State Children's Health Insurance Program; 3) Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Quality Measure Set (QMS) Reporting; 4) Medicaid State Plan Eligibility; 5) Health Home State Plan Amendment (SPA); 6) Child and Adult Core Set Measures; and 7) Health Home Core Sets. Comments are due July 30, 2026. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/news/38770 Thu, 16 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://dailyyonder.com/the-hub-and-spoke-model-for-addiction-treatment-in-north-carolina/2026/07/15/ Describes a North Carolina network offering training and support for healthcare providers offering medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) through a hub-and-spoke model. Discusses how the model works in rural communities and integrating the treatment into primary care. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/news/38766 Wed, 15 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/07/14/2026-14146/request-for-information-training-and-care-delivery-models-for-safe-administration-of-potential The Department of Health and Human Services is seeking comments on training and care delivery models to ensure safe and effective use of psychedelic drugs. Questions for consideration include training regarding patient eligibility, drug administration, and post-administration follow up; access for Federally Qualified Health Centers, Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics, and Rural Health Clinics; and technologies that allow for expanded access while maintaining patient safety. Comments are due August 13, 2026. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/news/38760 Tue, 14 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/07/10/2026-13911/agency-information-collection-activities-proposed-collection-public-comment-request-information Notice from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) seeking comments on an information collection request titled "Healthy Start Evaluation and Quality Improvement, OMB No. 0915-0338—Revision." Proposed revisions include changes to clarifying instructions, updating response options to replace obsolete categories, separating response options to better reflect current program priorities, and adding fields to capture the month of infant birth and/or death. Comments are due by September 8, 2026. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/news/38753 Fri, 10 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://news.va.gov/148097/bringing-care-closer-home-rural-veterans/ Describes a Veterans Administration (VA) pilot program in New Mexico, Arizona, and Wyoming to make healthcare more accessible for rural veterans by including rural and underserved VA and Indian Health Service locations in VA residencies. Discusses how the program offers innovative service delivery models, builds cultural awareness, and increases the VA and IHS workforce. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/news/38743 Wed, 08 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/07/02/2026-13465/agency-information-collection-activities-submission-for-omb-review-comment-request The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is seeking comments on the following information collections: 1) Submissions of Acute Hospital Care at Home (AHCAH) Waiver Submission and Data Collection; 2) Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) Regulations; and 3) Granting and Withdrawal of Deeming Authority to Private Nonprofit Accreditation Organizations and CLIA Exemption Under State Laboratory Programs. Comments are due by August 3, 2026. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/news/38721 Thu, 02 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.mprnews.org/story/2026/06/30/minnesotas-sprint-medic-pilot-program-aims-to-get-paramedics-to-rural-emergencies-faster Highlights a rapid response paramedic pilot program focused on decreasing response times for medical emergencies in rural Minnesota. Describes the use of pickup trucks rather than ambulances to quickly provide onsite medical care and assess whether an ambulance is needed for transport. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/news/38711 Wed, 01 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.newson6.com/health/mobile-mental-health-unit-marks-first-year-of-expanding-care-across-rural-oklahoma Describes the accomplishments of an Oklahoma mobile mental health unit after 1 year of service. Notes that rural areas in particular face access challenges in a state where every county is a Mental Health Professional Shortage Area. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/news/38713 Tue, 30 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://waysandmeans.house.gov/2026/06/29/bipartisan-ways-means-legislation-to-improve-high-quality-health-care-delivery-approved-by-house/ Describes new bipartisan legislation passed out of committee to the full U.S. House of Representatives. The Health Care Efficiency Through Flexibility Act offers aims to streamline and reduce costs for Accountable Care Organization (ACO) reporting by allowing facilities to transition to digital quality measures. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/news/38706 Mon, 29 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.hrsa.gov/about/news/press-releases/new-funding-rural-health-communities The Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) has announced new funding for rural communities, including funding for rural substance use prevention, treatment, and recovery services; expansion of medical residencies; strengthening rural healthcare networks, and advancing telehealth. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/news/38705 Mon, 29 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://wvpublic.org/story/health-science/new-ems-program-aims-to-expand-rural-healthcare-access-in-w-va/amp/ Interviews West Virginia Secretary of Health Dr. Arvin Singh about a community paramedicine initiative to increase assessment and treatment for primary care needs, support chronic disease management, provide follow-up services, and connect people to care in cooperation with rural emergency medical services providers in West Virginia. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/news/38693 Wed, 24 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.hrsa.gov/about/news/press-releases/hrsa-releases-new-miechv-data Highlights the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program (MIECHV) from the Health Resources and Services Administration. Discusses new data showing an increase in access for rural counties across the country. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/news/38683 Tue, 23 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.pharmacytimes.com/view/mckesson-ideashare-2026-what-does-it-take-to-sustain-a-rural-independent-pharmacy-sandie-kueker-rph-explains Offers an interview with an independent pharmacy owner and the president of the Kansas Pharmacists Association. Discusses clinical services, sustainability, and recognizing community needs. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/news/38681 Mon, 22 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.healthcareitnews.com/news/mobile-health-tops-early-rhtp-funding-trends Describes mobile health programs in Rural Health Transformation Fund (RHTP) plans. Discusses the hub-and-spoke service delivery model, telemedicine, and remote patient monitoring as methods for increasing healthcare access using RHTP funds. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/news/38680 Mon, 22 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.healthcareitnews.com/news/how-st-lukes-bringing-sexual-assault-forensic-care-closer-home-rural-idaho Discusses challenges with offering trauma-informed sexual assault care in rural Idaho. Describes how workforce shortages contribute to access barriers and how a telehealth hub-and-spoke model overcomes some of those barriers. Offers lessons learned following implementation of the model. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/news/38678 Mon, 22 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://penncapital-star.com/health-care/primary-care-medics-lessons-from-the-u-s-military-closing-healthcare-gaps-in-rural-pennsylvania/ Describes the Primary Care Medic (PC-Medic) initiative in Pennsylvania's Rural Health Transformation Program plan. PC-Medics would increase healthcare access in rural areas with workforce shortages. Discusses how medics would support existing primary care professionals as well as how to recruit veterans and rural residents to the position. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/news/38675 Mon, 22 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/06/16/2026-12105/agency-information-collection-activities-submission-for-omb-review-comment-request The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is seeking comments on the following information collections: 1) Conditions of Coverage for Portable X-ray Suppliers and Supporting Regulations; and 2) Requirements Related to Surprise Billing; Part II. Comments are due by July 16, 2026. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/news/38655 Tue, 16 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.wdbj7.com/2026/06/15/target-7-radford-university-trying-new-approach-help-rural-healthcare-crisis/ Describes the work of a university in rural Virginia to address healthcare access through mobile clinics and increasing the size of the nursing workforce. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/news/38658 Mon, 15 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mayo-clinic-advances-ai-enabled-rural-healthcare-delivery-with-arpa-h-paradigm-program-funding/ Describes how the Mayo Clinic is using artificial intelligence (AI) to increase access to phlebotomy and other healthcare services for rural communities. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/news/38652 Fri, 12 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.ncdhhs.gov/news/press-releases/2026/06/08/ncdhhs-announces-10-million-ems-workforce-through-nc-rural-health-transformation-program 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. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/news/38629 Mon, 08 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.military.com/how-vas-telehealth-kidney-program-saved-the-lives-of-rural-veterans 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. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/news/38624 Mon, 08 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0500