Federal Register Notices Relevant to Rural Health
Selected Federal Register notices of interest to the rural health community from the past 90 days.
Apr 22, 2025 - Notice from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) seeking comments concerning the National Household Survey on Disaster Preparedness, which identifies progress and gaps in individual and community preparedness and to better understand the motivational factors and barriers to preparedness that people face. Comments are due by May 22, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Apr 21, 2025 - The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is seeking comments on the following information collections: 1) Creditable Coverage Disclosure to CMS On-Line Form and Instructions; 2) Essential Community Provider Data Collection to Support QHP Certification; 3) Transparency in Coverage Reporting by Qualified Health Plan Issuers; 4) Notice of Research Exception under the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act; 5) Student Health Insurance Coverage; and 6) Medicare Participating Physician or Supplier Agreement. Comments are due June 20, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Apr 18, 2025 - Notice from the U.S. Census Bureau providing an additional 30 days for comments on the October 23, 2024, notice regarding American Community Survey (ACS) Methods Panel tests related to self-response. ACS Methods Panel is a research program at the Census Bureau designed to address and respond to survey issues and needs of the ACS. From 2025 to 2028, the ACS Methods Panel may test ACS and decennial census methods for reducing survey cost, addressing respondent burden, and improving survey response, data quality, and survey efficiencies for housing units and group quarters. Comments are due within 60 days of this notice.
Source: Federal Register
Apr 15, 2025 - Notice of final rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) revising the Medicare Advantage (Part C), Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit (Part D), Medicare cost plan, and Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) regulations to implement changes related to prescription drug coverage, the Medicare Prescription Payment Plan, dual eligible special needs plans (D-SNPs), Part C and Part D Star Ratings, and other programmatic areas, including the Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program. This final rule also codifies existing sub-regulatory guidance in the Part C and Part D programs. These regulations are effective June 3, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Apr 14, 2025 - Pre-publication notice of a proposed rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) updating the hospice wage index, payment rates, and aggregate cap amount for fiscal year 2026. Includes proposals related to admission to hospice regulations and the hospice face-to-face attestation requirements under the certification of terminal illness regulations. This proposed rule also includes a technical correction to the regulatory text and provides updates to the Hospice Quality Reporting Program requirements. Among other things, this rule seeks comments regarding requests for information surrounding future measure concepts for Hospice Quality Reporting Program. Includes rural references and considerations throughout. Comments are due within 60 days of the publication of this notice, which is scheduled for April 30, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Apr 14, 2025 - Pre-publication notice of a proposed rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) updating the FY 2026 prospective payment rates, outlier threshold, and wage index for Medicare inpatient hospital services provided by inpatient psychiatric facilities (IPF), including psychiatric hospitals and excluded psychiatric units of an acute care hospital or Critical Access Hospital. Includes a proposed revision to the payment adjustment factors for teaching status and for IPFs in rural areas. This proposed rule also proposes changes to measures used in the Inpatient Psychiatric Facilities Quality Reporting (IPFQR) Program and changes to update and codify the Extraordinary Circumstances Exception policy. Among other things, this rule seeks comments regarding potential future revisions to the IPFQR Program. Comments are due by June 10, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Apr 14, 2025 - Pre-publication notice of a proposed rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) regarding changes to the hospital inpatient prospective payment system (IPPS) for operating and capital-related costs of acute care hospitals for fiscal year 2026. Contains details of proposed changes related 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 certain quality programs, among other things. Comments are due by June 10, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Apr 14, 2025 - Pre-publication notice of a proposed rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) seeking comments on updates to the prospective payment system for inpatient rehabilitation facilities (IRFs) for fiscal year 2026. Among other things, this rule proposes classification and weighting factors for the IRF prospective payment system's case-mix groups, continues the second year of the 3-year phase-out of the rural adjustments, and includes proposals for the IRF Quality Reporting Program. Comments are due by June 10, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Apr 14, 2025 - Pre-publication notice of a proposed rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) that would update the skilled nursing facility (SNF) prospective payment system (PPS) payment rates for fiscal year 2026. Among other things, this rule includes proposals to update the requirements for the SNF Quality Reporting Program and the SNF Value-Based Purchasing Program. Comments are due by May 28, 2024. Comments are due within 60 days of the publication of this notice, which is scheduled for April 30, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Apr 11, 2025 - Notice from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) clarifying the May 9, 2024, final rule titled, "Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability in Programs or Activities Receiving Federal Financial Assistance." This notice clarifies that language in the preamble of the final rule concerning gender dysphoria is not included in the regulatory text and therefore does not have the force or effect of law.
Source: Federal Register
Apr 2, 2025 - Notice from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Housing Service (RHS) amending the September 27, 2024, Notice of Funds Availability for the Multifamily Housing Preservation and Revitalization Demonstration Program and the Section 515 Subsequent Loans for Preservation Activities for the Fiscal Year 2024, and Consolidated Multifamily Housing Technical Assistance Grant Program Notice of Funding Availability Fiscal Year 2024. This notice removes references to the prior Administration's key priorities and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI)-related scoring criteria to bring them into compliance with the January 20, 2025, Executive Order. This notice is applicable April 2, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Related funding:
Multifamily Housing Loan Guarantees
Apr 1, 2025 - Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) seeking comments on an information collection Medicare Transaction Facilitator (MTF) for 2026 and 2027 under Sections 11001 and 11002 of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). The MTF will collect information from manufacturers of drugs covered under Medicare Part D selected will be used for negotiation under the Inflation Reduction Act for the initial price applicability years 2026 and 2027 and the dispensing entities that dispense the selected drugs to MFP-eligible individuals. Comments are due by May 1, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Mar 31, 2025 - Notice from the U.S. Census Bureau allowing an additional 30 days for comments on proposed revisions to the National Survey of Children's Health (NSCH). NSCH is designed to collect data on the physical and emotional health of children age 18 and younger, including information related to access to healthcare, family interactions, and school and after-school experiences, among other things. Comments are due within 30 days of this notice.
Source: Federal Register
Mar 26, 2025 - The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will hold an open meeting on March 27, 2025, 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 and strengthen caller location accuracy requirements for wireless calls to 911, among other things. The meeting can be viewed on the FCC website.
Source: Federal Register
Mar 25, 2025 - Notice of final rule from the Federal Communications Commission regarding the implementation of Next Generation 911 (NG911), which requires wireline providers, Commercial Mobile Radio Service (CMRS) providers, covered text providers, providers of interconnected Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services, and providers of internet-based Telecommunications Relay Service (internet-based TRS) to transition to NG911 in coordination with 911 authorities. Compliance with this rule is effective March 25, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Mar 25, 2025 - Announcement from the United States Department of Agriculture, Rural Development (RD), which includes the Rural Business-Cooperative Service (RBCS), Rural Utilities Service (RUS), and Rural Housing Service (RHS), amending 14 funding opportunities to remove references to the prior Administration's key priorities and DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion)-related scoring criteria to bring them into compliance with the Executive Order, "Ending Radical And Wasteful Government DEI Programs And Preferencing", issued on January 20, 2025. Also confirms that previous key priorities and discretionary points will not be considered during application scoring and makes clear that applicants who already have applied do not need to reapply. This notice also corrects the Rural Energy for America funding notice to include an omitted funding source.
Source: Federal Register
Mar 24, 2025 - Notice of final rule from the Drug Enforcement Administration and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) further delaying the January 17, 2025, final rules titled "Expansion of Buprenorphine Treatment via Telemedicine Encounter" and "Continuity of Care via Telemedicine for Veterans Affairs Patients." These final rules will now be effective December 31, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Mar 21, 2025 - The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is seeking comments on the following information collections: 1) Application for Enrollment in Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance); 2) Application for Medicare Part A and Part B Special Enrollment Period (Exceptional Circumstances); 3) Request for Enrollment in Supplementary Medical Insurance (SMI); 4) CMS Plan Benefit Package (PBP) and Formulary CY 2026; and 5) Dual Eligible Special Needs Plan Contract with the State Medicaid Agency. Comments are due by April 21, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Mar 21, 2025 - Executive Order from the Office of the President intending to streamline federal government preparedness operations; update relevant policies to reduce complexity, and enable state and local governments to better understand, plan for, and ultimately address the needs of their citizens. Among other things, this Executive Order directs the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs (APNSA), in coordination with the Assistant to the President for Economic Policy and the heads of relevant executive departments and agencies, to publish a National Resilience Strategy that articulates the priorities, means, and ways to advance national resilience; and directs the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy and the heads of relevant agencies to review all critical infrastructure policies and recommend to revisions, recissions, and replacements necessary to achieve a more resilient posture.
Source: Federal Register
Mar 20, 2025 -
Executive Order from the Office of the President revoking 18 previous Executive Orders and Actions. Among other things, this Executive Order revokes actions related to COVID-19, infant formula, and funding for tribal nations.
Source: Federal Register
Mar 19, 2025 - Notice of proposed rule related to implementation of Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and Health Insurance Marketplace. Among other things, this rule proposes revisions to standards relating to past-due premium payments; the evidentiary standard HHS uses to assess an agent's, broker's, or web-broker's potential noncompliance; income eligibility verifications for premium tax credits and cost-sharing reductions; annual eligibility redetermination; the annual open enrollment period; special enrollment periods; and more. Comments are due by April 11, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Mar 17, 2025 -
The Department of Labor is seeking comments on an information collection regarding continued COVID-19 recordkeeping and reporting for healthcare employees including the utility, validity, and method of the data gathering. Comments are due by April 16, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Mar 14, 2025 - Notice from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) revising and restating the Statement of Organization, Functions, and Delegations of Authority for the HHS Office of the General Counsel (OGC). Among other things, this notice creates the position of Chief Counsel for Food, Research, and Drugs, and consolidates the number of regional offices.
Source: Federal Register
Mar 13, 2025 - Notice from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) announcing the adjusted income eligibility guidelines for free and reduced-price meals and free milk through the National School Lunch Program (and Commodity School Program), School Breakfast Program, Special Milk Program for Children, Child and Adult Care Food Program, Summer Food Service Program, and Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer for Children Program. These guidelines are applicable from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Mar 12, 2025 - 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 Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) 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 11, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Mar 12, 2025 - 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 Nevada Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Welfare and Supportive Services to verify the eligibility of applicants and subscribers to Universal Service Fund (USF) Lifeline program. The Lifeline program is designed to support discounted broadband and voice services for low-income consumers. Comments are due by April 11, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Mar 10, 2025 - Notice from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) announcing the adjusted income eligibility guidelines for States to use to determine the income eligibility of applicants to the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). These guidelines are applicable July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Mar 10, 2025 - Notice from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) announcing the adjusted levels of monthly benefits in the Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer for Children (Summer EBT) Program. These benefit levels are applicable January 1, 2025, through December 31, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Mar 6, 2025 - Notice from the Indian Health Service (IHS) seeking comments on the proposed extension of forms related to the IHS Loan Repayment Program (LRP). Information collected will be used to score applications and determine which applicants will be awarded each fiscal year. Comments are due by April 7, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Mar 5, 2025 - Notice from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) seeking comments on the extension of forms related to the Connected Care Pilot Program and the COVID-19 Telehealth Program. Comments are due by May 5, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Mar 3, 2025 - Executive Order from the Office of the President directing each federal agency head to review all existing discretionary contracts and grants in consultation with the agency's DOGE Team Lead and, where appropriate and consistent with applicable law, terminate or modify the contracts and grants to reduce overall federal spending or reallocate spending to promote efficiency and advance the policies of the Trump administration. Among other things, this Executive Order directs each agency head to conduct a comprehensive review of each agency's contracting policies, procedures, and personnel and issue guidance on signing new contracts or modifying existing contracts.
Source: Federal Register
Mar 3, 2025 - Policy statement from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Immediate Office of the Secretary rescinding the policy on Public Participation in Rule Making and re-aligning HHS's rule-making procedures with the Administrative Procedure Act. In accordance with the APA, HHS agencies and offices are not required to apply notice and comment procedures of 5 U.S.C. 553 for "matters relating to agency management or personnel or to public property, loans, grants, benefits, or contracts," except as otherwise required by law.
Source: Federal Register
Mar 3, 2025 - Notice from the Indian Health Service (IHS) allowing an additional 30 days for comments on the extension of an information collection titled "Generic Clearance for the Collection of Qualitative Feedback on Agency Service Delivery." Information collected will be used to plan and inform efforts to improve or maintain the quality of services. Comments are due by April 2, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Feb 28, 2025 - Executive Order from the Office of the President directing the Secretaries of the Treasury, Labor, and Health and Human Services to take all necessary and appropriate action to implement and enforce the healthcare price transparency regulations related to Executive Order 13877 within 90 days. Among other things, this Executive Order directs the Secretaries to take actions to require the disclosure of the actual prices of items and services, not estimates; update guidance or proposed regulatory actions to ensure pricing information is standardized and easily comparable across hospitals and health plans; and issue guidance or proposed regulatory actions updating enforcement policies to ensure compliance with the transparent reporting of complete, accurate, and meaningful data.
Source: Federal Register
Feb 25, 2025 - 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 Missouri Department of Social 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 27, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Feb 25, 2025 - 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 Tennessee Department of 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 27, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Feb 25, 2025 - 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 Utah Department of Workforce 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 27, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Feb 25, 2025 - 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 North Carolina 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 27, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Feb 25, 2025 - 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 Mississippi Department of 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 27, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Feb 21, 2025 - Announcement from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) of the approval of the Accreditation Commission for Health Care, Inc. (ACHC) for continued recognition as a national accrediting organization for home health agencies (HHAs) that wish to participate in the Medicare or Medicaid programs. This approval is applicable February 24, 2025, to February 24, 2031.
Source: Federal Register
Feb 21, 2025 - Announcement from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) of the approval of the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities, dba QUAD A, for continued recognition as a national accrediting organization for outpatient physical therapy providers that wish to participate in the Medicare or Medicaid programs. This approval is applicable April 4, 2025, to April 4, 2030.
Source: Federal Register
Feb 19, 2025 - Quarterly listing of Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) manual instructions, substantive and interpretive regulations, and Federal Register notices published from October through December 2024, including contact information for general questions or additional information about specific sections.
Source: Federal Register
Feb 19, 2025 - Notice from the Drug Enforcement Administration and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) delaying the January 17, 2025, final rules titled "Expansion of Buprenorphine Treatment via Telemedicine Encounter" and "Continuity of Care via Telemedicine for Veterans Affairs Patients" in accordance with the January 20, 2025, presidential memorandum titled "Regulatory Freeze Pending Review." These final rules will now be effective March 21, 2025. Comments regarding the delayed effective date are due by February 28, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Feb 19, 2025 -
Executive Order from the Office of the President directing the establishment of the Make America Healthy Again Commission. The Commission will advise the President on policy to reduce chronic disease rates, with a particular focus on ending childhood chronic disease. The Commission will be chaired by the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services with the Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy serving as Executive Director. Includes a full list of other federal agencies represented on the Commission.
Source: Federal Register
Feb 11, 2025 - Announcement from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) of receipt of an application for continued recognition of The Joint Commission as a national accrediting organization for hospitals that wish to participate in the Medicare or Medicaid programs. Comments are due by March 13, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Feb 11, 2025 - Notice from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) delaying the effective date of the December 13, 2024, final rule in accordance with the January 20, 2025, presidential memorandum titled "Regulatory Freeze Pending Review." The final rule is now effective April 14, 2025, and the compliance date is also delayed until April 14, 2028.
Source: Federal Register
Feb 10, 2025 - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will hold a virtual public meeting of the Advisory Committee on Tribal and Indian Affairs from February 25-26, 2025. The Committee will provide advice and guidance to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs on all matters relating to Indian tribes, tribal organizations, Native Hawaiian organizations, and Native American Veterans. The agenda will include, among other things, updates from the VA Office of Tribal Government Relations, VA Office of Tribal Health, VHA/Indian Health Service (IHS)/Tribal Health Program (THP)/Urban Indian Organization (UIO), a panel on Tribal and Urban Indian Health, and a veteran panel with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) and Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA).
Source: Federal Register
Jan 31, 2025 - Executive Order from the Office of the President revoking Executive Order 14076 and Executive Order 14079 and ending the use of federal funding for elective abortions.
Source: Federal Register
Jan 29, 2025 - Executive Order from the Office of the President directing the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), along with the Attorney General and the Director of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), to coordinate the termination of all discriminatory diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, including illegal DEI and "diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility" (DEIA) mandates, policies, programs, preferences, and activities in the federal government. Among other things, this Executive Order directs agency and department heads to provide the Director of OMB with lists of all agency or department DEI, DEIA, or "environmental justice" positions, committees, programs, services, activities, budgets, and expenditures in existence on November 4, 2024, and federal grantees who received funding to provide or advance DEI, DEIA, or "environmental justice" programs, services, or activities since January 20, 2021.
Source: Federal Register
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