Skip to main content
Rural Health Information Hub
Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Tribal Health – News

News stories from the past 60 days.

Oct 27, 2026 - Announces a new 3-year partnership between the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) and the Indian Health Service (IHS) to improve identification and management of sepsis in IHS emergency care facilities. Notes that many IHS facilities are in rural areas where specialty care is often limited, making early identification important. The partnership will include culturally relevant toolkits and resources as well as evaluation of their effectiveness.
Source: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
Oct 14, 2026 - Notice from the Indian Health Service (IHS) seeking comments on a proposed reinstatement of an information collection titled "Purchased/Referred Care (PRC) Proof of Residency." The information collected is used to verify that individuals seeking medical services through PRC meet the residency requirements. Comments are due by December 14, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Oct 8, 2026 - Notice of final rule from the Indian Health Service (IHS) removing language in the Code of Federal Regulations that refers to an outdated process for determining what the IHS will charge for care to non-IHS beneficiaries. This rule is effective December 7, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Oct 8, 2026 - Notice of final rule from the Indian Health Service (IHS) removing regulations appearing in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) that duplicate other regulations in the CFR, have never been implemented, and were referred to as "suspended" in a 1999 Federal Register Notice. This rule is effective December 7, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Oct 5, 2026 - Describes bipartisan legislation to extend the reporting deadline for Indian Health Service (IHS) patients who seek emergency care from non-IHS facilities. The bill would increase the deadline from 72 hours to 15 days for most patients. Older adults and people with disabilities would continue to have a 30-day deadline as the current law allows.
Source: Office of Senator Catherine Cortez Masto
Sep 22, 2026 - Announces awarded funding to 14 tribal and urban Indian communities for phase 2 of a produce prescription program. The program aims to address chronic disease through nutrition. Notes that tribal communities have higher rates of food insecurity and chronic diseases.
Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Sep 16, 2026 - Announces newly awarded funding from the Indian Health Service to expand the Community Health Aide Program, which increases access to primary, behavioral, and oral healthcare in tribal communities.
Source: Indian Health Service
Sep 11, 2026 - Summarizes discussions in an August virtual session between the Indian Health Service's Health Information Technology Modernization Program and tribes, tribal organizations, and urban Indian organizations regarding PATH EHR implementation. Includes links to offer feedback and connect with the program.
Source: Indian Health Service
Sep 8, 2026 - Announces awarded funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for a variety of behavioral health treatment, prevention, and crisis response programs across over 20 funding opportunities. Includes funding for suicide prevention and response in tribal communities, community-based systems of care for tribal youth, emergency medical services for behavioral health crises in rural areas, and training and technical assistance for rural opioid and stimulant use.
Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services