Healthcare Access in Rural Communities – News
News stories from the past 60 days.
Sep 21, 2026 - More neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) have opened across Oklahoma, increasing access for rural families across the state.
Source: News 9
Sep 10, 2026 - The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has announced awards to 132 hospitals in 13 states through the Rural Hospital Provider Assistance Program. This will help eligible small rural hospitals maintain their workforce, sustain essential services, and strengthen patients' access to care.
Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Sep 8, 2026 - Discusses the impact of labor and delivery department closures across the nation and highlights one Minnesota hospital that has managed to maintain labor and delivery services in spite of the trends. Describes budgeting and patient relationships as key factors in their success.
Source: NPR
Aug 20, 2026 - Summarizes discussions from a National Conference of State Legislatures convening regarding coordination between federal and state officials to address healthcare workforce shortages, rural healthcare access gaps, and maternal health needs. Discusses the Federally Qualified Health Center program and telehealth.
Source: National Conference of State Legislatures
Aug 17, 2026 - New philanthropic funding has been allocated for a Wyoming program that will expand and enhance stroke care across the state. Discusses the impact of distance to care on stroke outcomes and highlights positive outcomes for similar programs in other states.
Source: Cap City News
Aug 13, 2026 - Describes a hospital network reorganization to better address trauma care access in rural Tennessee. Highlights the improved mortality outcomes and how the hub-and-spoke model could be implemented in other rural regions.
Source: The Daily Yonder
Aug 13, 2026 - Announces $102 million in funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to expand the Health Center Program. Notes that this program provides comprehensive primary care to 1 in 5 rural residents.
Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Aug 10, 2026 - Highlights a redesign of traditional eye exam equipment that is portable. The equipment was developed at the Texas A&M School of Engineering Medicine to make comprehensive eye exams more accessible in rural communities and allow for collaboration with specialists.
Source: Texas A&M Stories