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Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
News by Topic: Access

Nov 4, 2025 - Highlights a partnership between the Vermont Library Association and the University of Vermont to explore offering telehealth in rural libraries around the state. The project aims to increase access to healthcare while addressing technology barriers in rural areas.
Oct 31, 2025 - The Mountain Area Health Education Center (MAHEC) is opening a new office in rural North Carolina. Services offered include primary care, women's services, and behavioral health. Discusses disparities in care between rural and urban communities in the area, in part due to workforce shortages, and the mission of MAHEC to train and retain healthcare professionals.
Source: WLOS
Oct 31, 2025 - Describes challenges with offering labor and delivery services in rural Texas, discussing reimbursement, workforce shortages, and distance to care.
Source: The Optimist
Oct 30, 2025 - Describes rural healthcare challenges and opportunities for innovation in rural New York as discussed by a rural healthcare facility administrator. Includes topics such as healthcare access barriers, community partnerships, and telehealth.
Source: George Washington University, Milken Institute School of Public Health
Oct 30, 2025 - Highlights the childcare shortage in a rural Indiana community and a partnership with students through the Indiana University Center for Rural Engagement to address it. Discusses working within communities and the connection between childcare and workforce development.
Source: Indiana University Bloomington Center for Rural Engagement News
Oct 29, 2025 - Describes decentralized trials (DCT) as a way to increase access to participation in clinical research. Discusses challenges with fraud and bias as well as strategies to address them. Notes that DCT facilitates participation for rural residents thereby improving research studies.
Source: MUSC Catalyst News
Oct 28, 2025 - Highlights a telehealth summit discussing strategies for expanding access to telehealth in South Carolina. Includes discussion of the need for expanded broadband in rural communities as well as digital literacy training for patients.
Source: WCSC
Oct 26, 2025 - Discusses the impact of the expansion of Medicaid dental benefits on the oral health of Missouri residents. Notes that areas with dental workforce shortages are less likely to feel the positive impact of increases in reimbursement rates.
Source: Kansas City Magazine
Oct 24, 2025 - Highlights an app from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs supporting home-based primary care teams in areas with low internet connectivity. The app allows for digital access to patient information in the field, reducing the need for printed documents and increasing patient privacy and healthcare quality.
Source: VA News
Oct 23, 2025 - Highlights a Critical Access Hospital (CAH) in rural Minnesota successfully offering labor and delivery services in spite of nationwide department closures. Describes the challenges with offering this service in rural communities and factors contributing to this CAH's success including participating in a network and cross-training staff. Includes a state map of maternity care deserts at the county level.
Source: MPR News