https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/news/topics/specialty-care Rural Health & Human Services News by Topic: Specialty care - Rural Health Information Hub en Copyright 2026 Rural Health Information Hub https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/hospitals-can-close-rural-cancer-care-gaps-through-new-american-college-of-surgeons-commission-on-cancer-accreditation-category-302841949.html 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. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/news/38847 Tue, 04 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.aamc.org/news/no-one-to-call Profiles a West Virginia University (WVU) Medicine clinic in rural Glenville, where two WVU neurologists drive from Morgantown once a month to see patients. The clinic serves people in rural areas who lack ready access to specialists. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/news/38808 Thu, 23 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/07/21/2026-14699/agency-information-collection-activities-proposed-collection-comment-request 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. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/news/38787 Tue, 21 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/06/26/2026-12925/medicare-program-cy-2027-changes-to-the-end-stage-renal-disease-esrd-prospective-payment-system Notice of proposed rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) making changes related to End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) Prospective Payment System (PPS) for calendar year 2027 and proposing updates to the payment rate for renal dialysis services furnished by an ESRD facility to individuals with acute kidney injury (AKI). Among other things, this rule also proposes updated requirements for the ESRD Quality Incentive Program and includes requests for information (RFI) to inform future policies related to increasing home dialysis uptake, improving palliative dialysis, and supporting alternative dialysis schedules. Comments are due by August 24, 2026. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/news/38688 Fri, 26 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0500