Rural Health Policy – News
News stories from the past 60 days.
Dec 29, 2025 - Announces the distribution of $50 billion of funding for the Rural Health Transformation Program. Highlights goals of the funding including making rural healthcare more accessible, strengthening the rural healthcare workforce, modernizing rural health infrastructure and technology, streamlining workflows, and testing innovative payment models.
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Dec 29, 2025 - The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced the establishment of the Office of Rural Health Transformation (RHT). The office will oversee the RHT Program, an initiative to strengthen rural health systems and expand access to care nationwide.
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Dec 22, 2025 - Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) regarding the establishment of the Office of Rural Health Transformation within the Center for Medicaid and CHIP Services (CMCS). Functions include administration of the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP). The Office of Rural Health Transformation took effect on December 18, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Dec 5, 2025 - Announces in-person and virtual Indian Health Service (IHS) consultations with tribal nations and urban Indian organizations to discuss proposed IHS realignment. Enclosures with more information on the proposed plan can be found on the IHS Tribal Leader Letters webpage. Comments may be submitted by February 6, 2026.
Source: Indian Health Service
Dec 2, 2025 - Announces that components of a 2024 regulation establishing federal requirements for nursing home staffing has been repealed. Discusses the burden that had been placed on rural and tribal facilities as a result of the rule.
Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Last Updated: 12/30/2025