Rural Health & Human Services News by Topic: Service delivery models - Rural Health Information Hub

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.

Rural Libraries' Telehealth Booths Can Have a Variety of Uses

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

New telehealth booths have been installed in 7 rural New Mexico libraries, giving area residents access to virtual health appointments and more.

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.

Virtual Crisis Care Helps Rural Communities Access Mental Health Resources in Emergencies

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

Highlights a virtual emergency mental health program in rural South Dakota. The program connects law enforcement responding to mental health crises with behavioral health clinicians and offers the person in crisis access to resources available in their community. Following successful implementation in South Dakota, Wyoming is piloting a similar program.

The Pulse: Virginia Expands Maternal Mental Health and Cervical Cancer Screening Efforts

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

Describes state-level legislation and community initiatives in Virginia to improve access to care for maternal mental health issues and cervical cancer screening. Discusses efforts to include rural residents to specialty care through telehealth.

Texas A&M Program Targets Rural Health Care Through Value-Based Care Model

Tue, 24 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0600

Describes a value-based care program has been implemented in Texas. Discusses how many patients have been served, how rural is defined, rural healthcare challenges, and upcoming plans for the program.

Philanthropy Expands Rural Health Scholars Program to Address Primary Care Shortages Across Pennsylvania

Fri, 20 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0600

Highlights philanthropic support for a rural workforce program at the Penn State College of Medicine. Discusses recruiting rural students into medical programs as a strategy to solve rural workforce shortages, as well as mobile care delivery and innovation to improve access to care for rural residents.

RAMP Pilot Study Supports Telehealth Mind-Body Program for Rural Veterans With Chronic Pain

Thu, 19 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0600

Summarizes recent research finding that multimodal, telehealth delivered mind-body and exercise interventions are effective for rural veterans experiencing chronic pain. Notes that the program could be easily accessed by rural veterans due to the use of nonclinicians. Describes planned modifications for future programs iterations.

Meharry Medical College Brings More Care to Rural Tennessee

Wed, 18 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0600

Describes a Tennessee university's mobile dental care program bringing access to oral care into rural communities. Notes the potential improvements on both health outcomes and the dental workforce in the area.

Nunn Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Make Rural Telehealth Expansions Permanent

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

Announces a bipartisan bill to permanently extend COVID-era Medicare telehealth flexibilities for rural areas.

High-Tech Skin Cancer Training Meets Rural Health Care

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0600

The Teledermatology Serving Georgia program offers primary care providers hands-on training in dermatology procedures. The project will lead to timely interventions and improved patient outcomes, especially for those living in rural and medically underserved areas.

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.

Thompson Leads Effort to Expand Veterans' Access to Lifesaving Breast Cancer Screening

Thu, 05 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0600

Describes proposed bipartisan legislation permanently authorizing telescreening mammography services in rural and other areas for veterans.

Digital Health Diabetes Education Improves Health of Rural Communities Across Arkansas

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

Summarizes new research finding that rural Arkansans with type 2 diabetes had improved health outcomes following virtual delivery of diabetes self-management education and support (DSMES). The study also compared standard and family-centered models DSMES and discusses the benefits of the family model for the patient and others in their support network.

Sanford Health Makes Transformation a Rural Priority

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

Discusses the rural-focused work at a primarily rural health system. Highlights the use of telehealth and artificial intelligence to tackle common rural health challenges.

DOD: Modifications to the Reimbursement of Childbirth Support Services Under the TRICARE Childbirth and Breastfeeding Support Demonstration

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

Notice from the Department of Defense (DOD) Director of the Defense Health Agency (DHA) announcing adjustments to the certified labor doulas (CLDs) performing childbirth support services under the Childbirth and Breastfeeding Support Demonstration (CBSD). This notice announces changes to the reimbursement methodology for childbirth support services intended to stabilize reimbursement. DHA is modifying reimbursement for childbirth support services so that the rate approved for March 1, 2025, will be considered a "baseline." The DHA Director will approve a new baseline if it is found that TRICARE reimbursement is not keeping pace with Medicaid reimbursement. The new reimbursement methodology will be effective for rates beginning March 1, 2026.

SBU Receives $750,000 Cabrini Grant to Launch Mobile Health Clinic

Wed, 28 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0600

Highlights new funding for a mobile health clinic designed to expand access to healthcare in rural New York and support training healthcare workers.

Improving Access to Care

Sun, 25 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0600

Highlights the Mobile Prosthetic and Orthotic Care (MoPOC) truck, a mobile unit from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) with support from the VA's Office of Rural Health bringing prosthetic and orthotic care to rural veterans in Texas.

Choctaw Nation Launches Drone Program To Enhance Rural Health Care

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

The Choctaw Nation is using a $2 million Department of Transportation grant to develop a drone program designed to improve health care delivery in rural areas. Airborne drones and a "drone dog" can make quick deliveries and provide critical services in remote regions.

Oklahoma Leaders Highlight Major Investment in Rural Health Care and Workforce

Wed, 14 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0600

Describes various rural healthcare-focused investments across Oklahoma. Discusses long-term investment strategies, telehealth, workforce training and retention, cancer care access, and preventive care.

HHS: Tribal Consultation on Proposed Modifications to the HIPAA Privacy Rule

Wed, 14 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0600

Pre-publication notice from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announcing a virtual tribal consultation on the January 21, 2021, notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) titled "Proposed Modifications to the HIPAA Privacy Rule To Support, and Remove Barriers to, Coordinated Care and Individual Engagement." The NPRM intends to strengthen individuals' rights to access their own protected health information, improve care coordination, and reduce administrative burdens on HIPAA covered health care providers and health plans, while continuing to protect individuals' health information privacy interests. The tribal consultation will be held on February 6, 2026, from 2:00 – 3:30 p.m. Eastern. Registration is required.

Youth Villages Expanding Intercept Program to Reach Rural Areas

Mon, 12 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0600

Describes increasing rates of suicide among children between 10 and 17 in Tennessee and highlights a program being expanded into rural communities to address the crisis. Notes rural-specific issues driving poor outcomes including stigma and less mental healthcare access. Discusses telehealth and school-based services as opportunities to improve outcomes.

UNR Med Students Expand Access to Care Through Rural Outreach

Mon, 12 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0600

Highlights volunteer-driven clinics in rural Nevada communities that increase access to medical services and give medical students hands on experience. Discusses rural-specific challenges in providing and accessing healthcare, mobile healthcare services, and retaining students to practice in rural communities.

VA Partnership Brings Mobile Mammography Bus to Rural Veterans

Sat, 10 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0600

Highlights a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs mobile mammography unit in rural Tennessee. Describes the benefits for rural veterans in improving access to both preventive and follow-up care.