Rural Health & Human Services News by Topic: Technology for health and human services - Rural Health Information Hub

FCC: Build America: Eliminating Barriers to Wireline Deployments

Fri, 07 Aug 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Notice of a proposed rule from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) that would eliminate state and local requirements that constrain the deployment of modern high-speed wireline infrastructure in violation of section 253 of the Communications Act through the imposition of excessive delays and fees that impede infrastructure deployments and disincentivize investments in them. Specifically, the FCC seeks comments on codifying rules that would limit the fees that state and local governments may charge for a wireline telecommunications authorization to a reasonable approximation of the government's actual, direct costs of managing the rights-of-way; require that the value of in-kind compensation demanded by state and local governments count toward any safe harbor fee levels adopted by the Commission; prohibit state and local governments from imposing additional requirements on wireline telecommunications infrastructure deployments on the grounds that the infrastructure may be used to provide other services; and more. Comments are due by September 21, 2026, and reply comments are due by November 5, 2026.

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.

Capito, Colleagues Introduce Bill to Increase Health Care Training in Remote and Rural Areas

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

Announces bipartisan legislation supporting specialty medical education and training for rural primary care providers using technology and the Project ECHO model.

Oklahoma Launches Portal Program to Bring Internet to Rural Communities

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

Describes a statewide program to add high-speed internet portals in Oklahoma libraries. The portals will allow for telehealth appointments, job interviews, and more.

How Tanner Health Is Building Its Workforce by Investing in Employees' Next Career Move

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

Describes the workforce retention strategy at a Georgia-based rural health system. Discusses their career development services for existing employees, reskilling as workforce needs evolve, and using artificial intelligence to carry out the retention strategy.

Public Inspection: FCC: Meetings; Sunshine Act

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

Pre-publication notice announcing that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will hold an open meeting on August 6, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. Eastern. Agenda items include a discussion of a Third Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and Order that would seek comment on several improvements to the Rural Health Care Program, among other things. The meeting can be viewed on the FCC website.

NTIA: First Responder Network Authority Special Virtual Public Combined Board and Finance and Investment Committee Meeting

Wed, 29 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Notice from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet Authority) announcing a virtual combined public meeting of the FirstNet Authority Board and Board Finance and Investment Committee on August 17, 2026, from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. Eastern. Agenda items are being finalized and will be published on the FirstNet Authority website. Public attendance will be available online only.

Rural Community Campus Planned in Conway County to Expand Food Access, Digital Learning

Wed, 29 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Describes a rural Arkansas community project that will offer community gardening, gathering space, and opportunities to improve digital literacy skills.

BEAD Aims to Bring High-Speed Internet to All Americans by 2030

Wed, 29 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Discusses the goals of the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) Program, a federal opportunity to expand broadband access to underserved locations. Describes how the funding is being deployed at the state level, what technology is being used, and challenges that remain.

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.

CMS, CDC, HHS: Request for Information; Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 (CLIA) Regulations

Thu, 16 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0500

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) are seeking comments on various topics related to Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 including breath testing; laboratory processes and procedures; emergency preparedness, biosafety and security, and cybersecurity; and specialty testing areas. The use of remote direct observation for assessing laboratory personnel competency for the benefit of rural and remote facilities is of particular interest. Comments are due by September 14, 2026.

HHS: Request for Information, Training and Care Delivery Models for Safe Administration of Potential FDA-Approved Psychedelic Therapies in Ambulatory Clinical Settings

Tue, 14 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0500

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.

Delaware Expands Payer and Provider HIE Access under RHTP

Mon, 13 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Describes how Delaware is using Rural Health Transformation Program funds to improve information technology infrastructure for improved healthcare data exchange. The goal is to streamline workflows to reduce time spent on administrative tasks and increase time available for physicians and their patients. Notes that other states are also focusing on infrastructure and technology.

BIA: FY 2026 Job Placement and Training-Native American Technology and Manufacturing Grant Pilot Program (IGNITE: Indigenous Growth in New & Innovative Trade Employment); Solicitation of Proposals

Mon, 13 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Announcement from the Department of the Interior (DOI) Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) of forthcoming funding and grant application information for the Native American Technology and Manufacturing Grant Pilot Program—(IGNITE: Indigenous Growth in New & Innovative Trade Employment) program. Funding will support tribal workforce development strategies in construction and infrastructure trades as well as emerging technology sectors. Projects may include housing, roads, utilities, and community infrastructure projects such as structural steel, rebar, bridges, buildings, and infrastructure projects. A notice of funding opportunity will be released on the BIA-OIS website.

FCC: Facilitating Implementation of Next Generation 911 Services (NG911); Improving 911 Reliability

Fri, 10 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0500

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.

FCC: Facilitating Implementation of Next Generation 911 Services (NG911); Improving 911 Reliability

Fri, 10 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0500

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.

DHS: Establishment of the Alliance of National Councils for Homeland Operational ResilienceCritical Infrastructure (ANCHOR-CI)

Wed, 01 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Notice from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announcing the establishment of the Alliance of National Councils for Homeland Operational Resilience—Critical Infrastructure (ANCHOR-CI). ANCHOR-CI is an advisory body comprised of sector, cross-sector, regional, and industry councils that provide group advice and recommendations to the Secretary of Homeland Security through the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) Director to ensure a coordinated national effort to foster a secure and resilient critical infrastructure and cyberspace, exchange best practices pertaining to technical assistance, and cooperatively maintain mechanisms for collaboration with Sector Risk Management Agencies.

What Are the Top Threats Rural Hospitals Face for Survival?

Tue, 30 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Highlights common rural hospital healthcare delivery challenges as identified by Wisconsin hospital CEOs. Discusses nursing workforce shortages, employee burnout, reimbursement rates, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, home health, Medicare Advantage, and maintaining inpatient care access.

Bipartisan Ways & Means Legislation to Improve High Quality Health Care Delivery Approved by House

Mon, 29 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0500

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.

HRSA Announces Nearly $140 Million in New Funding to Improve Health in Rural Communities

Mon, 29 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0500

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.

FCC: Sunshine Act Meetings; Open Commission Meeting Thursday, June 25, 2026

Thu, 25 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0500

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will hold an open meeting on June 25, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. Eastern. Agenda items include a discussion of proposed rules that would ensure the reliability and interoperability of Next Generation 911 networks, among other things. The meeting can be viewed on the FCC website.

Closing the AI Divide: Finding a Path Forward for Rural Hospitals

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Describes artificial intelligence (AI) use in rural hospitals, noting that recent research found AI is used less compared to urban hospitals. Highlights the implementation of AI in a rural Oklahoma hospital.

Mayo Clinic Advances AI-Enabled Rural Healthcare Delivery with ARPA-H PARADIGM Program Funding

Fri, 12 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Describes how the Mayo Clinic is using artificial intelligence (AI) to increase access to phlebotomy and other healthcare services for rural communities.

CMS: Statement of Organization, Functions, and Delegations of Authority

Thu, 11 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) establishing the CMS Office of Health Technology and Products (OHTP). OHTP will provide enterprise leadership and oversight for CMS healthcare technology modernization, digital products, and transformation of platforms and services supporting Medicare, Medicaid, the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and other CMS-administered programs. This organizational change was effective June 9, 2026.

Wireline Competition Bureau Announces the Availability of Unused Funds to Fully Satisfy Demand for Rural Health Care Program Funding for Funding Year 2026

Mon, 08 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0500

The Federal Communications Commission announces that unused Rural Health Care (RHC) Program funds may be carried forward for funding year 2026. Eligible RHC Program funding requests may be fully funded without prioritization.