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

FCC: Privacy Act of 1974; Matching Program

Thu, 12 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Notice from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) seeking comments on a new computer matching program between the FCC, the Universal Service Administrative Company, and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to verify the eligibility of applicants and subscribers to Lifeline and the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). These programs are designed to facilitate and support access to affordable broadband services for low-income consumers and families. Comments are due by April 13, 2026.

A Missouri Pilot Program Reimagines Rural Hospitals as the Central Hub for More Than Healthcare

Tue, 10 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Highlights a pilot program in a rural Missouri community offering a coordinated response to health and social needs for Medicaid patients. The program allows hospitals and other organizations to refer patients to service providers and track whether their needs are getting addressed. Describes how the program was started, the federal waiver that allows the program to run, and the technology used for it. Discusses sustainability challenges common for rural service providers.

Changing Narratives: Strengthening Rural Hospital Cybersecurity

Mon, 09 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Summarizes comments from a HIMSS26 Healthcare Cybersecurity Forum discussing cybersecurity for rural hospitals. Covers topics including regional collaboration, communicating with facility administration, and cybersecurity workforce.

Q&A: Sanford Health Bets on AI, Virtual Care to Expand Rural Healthcare Access

Fri, 06 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0600

A healthcare executive of a large rural healthcare network discusses use of artificial intelligence in healthcare for rural patients.

CMS: Request for Information (RFI) Related to Comprehensive Regulations To Uncover Suspicious Healthcare (CRUSH)

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0600

Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) seeking stakeholder feedback on potential regulatory changes that may be included in a proposed rule regarding the Comprehensive Regulations to Uncover Suspicious Healthcare (CRUSH) initiative and to inform other programmatic changes that could be implemented to make CMS more effective in addressing fraud. Includes specific questions and topics of interest to CMS, including modifications to program integrity requirements, preventing fraudulent billing in Medicare Advantage, reducing fraudulent Medicare Parts A and B claim submissions, using artificial intelligence in MA coding oversight and billing, and more. Comments are by March 30, 2026.

FCC: Privacy Act of 1974; Matching Program

Wed, 25 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0600

Notice from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) seeking comments on a new computer matching program between the FCC, the Universal Service Administrative Company, Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS), and the Wisconsin Department of Revenue (DOR) to verify the eligibility of applicants and subscribers to Lifeline and the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). These programs are designed to facilitate and support access to affordable broadband services for low-income consumers and families. Comments are due by March 27, 2026.

FCC: Privacy Act of 1974; Matching Program

Wed, 25 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0600

Notice from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) seeking comments on a new computer matching program between the FCC, the Universal Service Administrative Company, and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to verify the eligibility of applicants and subscribers to Lifeline and the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). These programs are designed to facilitate and support access to affordable broadband services for low-income consumers and families. Comments are due by March 27, 2026.

FCC: Privacy Act of 1974; Matching Program

Wed, 25 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0600

Notice from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) seeking comments on a new computer matching program between the FCC, the Universal Service Administrative Company, and the Puerto Rico Department of the Family to verify the eligibility of applicants and subscribers to Lifeline and the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). These programs are designed to facilitate and support access to affordable broadband services for low-income consumers and families. Comments are due by March 27, 2026.

FCC: Privacy Act of 1974; Matching Program

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

Notice from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) seeking comments on a new computer matching program between the FCC, the Universal Service Administrative Company, and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services to verify the eligibility of applicants and subscribers to Lifeline and the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). These programs are designed to facilitate and support access to affordable broadband services for low-income consumers and families. Comments are due by March 26, 2026.

Mercer Simulation Devices Aim to Fill Need in Rural Medical Training

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

Highlights two new 3D printed, low-cost simulation devices that may make training rural and other limited resource institutions more accessible. Discusses the high cost of simulation devices, how the devices were tested, and the involvement of engineering students in developing the devices.

Rural Vulnerability in Texas: A Structurally Different Crisis

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

Analyzes chronic disease data to discuss health outcomes in rural Texas. Discusses ways rural health challenges are different from urban ones, noting rural-specific issues around chronic disease, access to care, broadband access, and maternal health. Highlights rural-specific strengths that can be used in healthcare innovation.

FCC: Privacy Act of 1974; Matching Program

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

Notice from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) seeking comments on a new computer matching program between the FCC, the Universal Service Administrative Company, and the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration Division of Family Resources to verify the eligibility of applicants and subscribers to Lifeline and the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). These programs are designed to facilitate and support access to affordable broadband services for low-income consumers and families. Comments are due by March 20, 2026.

CMS: Agency Information Collection Activities: Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

Fri, 13 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0600

Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) seeking comments on an information collection titled "CMS Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) Enrollment Registration, CMS EDI Enrollment Form, and CMS EDI Enrollment Attestation Form." The forms collect essential information necessary to identify Medicare providers and suppliers during electronic transactions, authorize requested EDI functions, and establish appropriate access privileges for healthcare entities. These forms ensure compliance with HIPAA transaction standards while implementing strengthened security requirements for billing vendors and clearing houses that handle Medicare data. Comments are due by March 16, 2026.

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.

New Learning Network on Increasing Access to Primary Care in Rural Communities

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

Announces a new learning network from the National Academy for State Health Policy offering state level officials a forum for sharing approaches for strengthening rural primary care systems. Discussions will include recent relevant federal policy, workforce, facilities, funding, technology, and administration. Includes an interest form to learn more.

HHS: Request for Information: Diagnostic Imaging Interoperability Standards and Certification

Fri, 30 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0600

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is seeking comment on the potential adoption of diagnostic imaging technical standards and certification criteria for health information technology (IT) under the ONC Health IT Certification Program and whether such standards would improve the access, exchange, and use of diagnostic images for providers and patients. Comments are due by March 16, 2026.

How Kansans Are Coping with Parkinson's Disease Rates near the Highest in the Nation

Tue, 27 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0600

Highlights high rates of Parkinson's disease in Kansas and programs across the state helping diagnosed Kansans manage symptoms. Describes a rural organization offering art therapy and exercise classes, including how they manage to offer support using technology.

NTIA: NTIA Listening Session on the Use of BEAD Funds Saved Through the Trump Administration's Benefit of the Bargain Reforms

Tue, 27 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0600

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) will hold a virtual listening session on February 11, 2026, from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. Eastern regarding the use of the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) program funds. The listening session will gather input from stakeholders to inform NTIA's future planning and policy development. Meeting materials will be available on NTIA's BroadbandUSA website.Pre-registration is required.

HHS: Health Information Technology Advisory Committee Schedule of Meetings

Wed, 21 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0600

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Assistant Secretary for Technology Policy (ASTP) announces the dates for public meetings of the Health Information Technology Advisory Committee (HITAC) to be held throughout the 2026 calendar year.

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.