Rural Health
News by Topic: Emergency preparedness and response
Aug 19, 2026 - Announces funding awarded for digital health modernization, cybersecurity, and enhanced interoperability in rural and underserved communities in South Dakota. The funding is part of the state's Rural Health Transformation Program allotment and comes in addition to other federal funding for increasing access to care and supporting the rural health workforce.
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Aug 18, 2026 - Highlights research finding that recent flooding in rural Appalachia increased opioid overdose deaths due to the stress of the event, disrupted treatment, and weakened support systems in the aftermath. Discusses data trends following severe floods and how lessons learned from one destructive flood prepared providers for future flooding disasters.
Source: Medical Xpress
Aug 10, 2026 - Announces additional resources and flexibilities from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to assist with the ongoing public health emergency (PHE) in Washington beginning August 1, 2026 related to wildfires. Shares information and resources for those impacted and responding to the wildfires, including CMS waivers, a disaster toolkit, dialysis care, medical equipment and supplies replacement, access to Medicare Part D medications, and health information privacy and accessibility resources.
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Jul 27, 2026 - Announces new proposed bipartisan legislation to protect rural hospitals from cyberattacks. The bill includes cybersecurity workforce development strategies, training for rural hospital staffs, and regular updates to Congress on implementation.
Source: Office of Representative Glenn Thompson
Jul 22, 2026 - Highlights the Rebuild the Bayou Housing Recovering Initiative, a program offering storm-fortifying housing development in south Louisiana communities impacted by hurricanes. Discusses the work of a local community foundation to support community resilience and response to weather emergencies.
Source: Rural LISC
Jul 18, 2026 - Describes an emergency response training drill on a working farm in rural Wisconsin. Notes that the drill gives practice for rural specific conditions to healthcare students and first responders.
Source: WKBT
CMS, CDC, HHS: Request for Information; Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 (CLIA) Regulations
Federal Register
Jul 16, 2026 - The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) are seeking comments on various topics related to Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 including breath testing; laboratory processes and procedures; emergency preparedness, biosafety and security, and cybersecurity; and specialty testing areas. The use of remote direct observation for assessing laboratory personnel competency for the benefit of rural and remote facilities is of particular interest. Comments are due by September 14, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Jul 13, 2026 - Discusses disaster response and recovery measures rural West Virginia communities have implemented as a result of floods in 2016. Notes that rural communities may have additional recovery challenges as they are more likely to have aging populations and fewer resources.
Source: Public News Service
Jul 10, 2026 - Announces additional resources and flexibilities from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to assist with the ongoing public health emergency (PHE) in Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands declared on July 9, 2026 related to the Super Typhoon Bavi. Shares information and resources for those impacted and responding to the disaster including CMS waivers, a disaster toolkit, dialysis care, medical equipment and supplies replacement, access to Medicare Part D medications, and health information privacy and accessibility resources.
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Jul 8, 2026 - Announces that the Federal Communications Commission has waived certain Lifeline, E-Rate, Rural Health Care, and Contributions rules and deadlines for those impacted by Super Typhoon Bavi in Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
Source: Federal Communications Commission