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Rural Health Information Hub
Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
News by Topic: Healthcare needs and services

Aug 13, 2026 - The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is seeking comments on an information collection titled "Data Security Requirements for Accessing Confidential Data (OMB Control Number: 0930-0396)—Extension" regarding the use of and processing of applications in the standard application process (SAP) Portal to request confidential data from the Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality. Comments are due October 13, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Aug 12, 2026 - The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is seeking nominations for the National Vaccine Advisory Committee, which provides advice and makes recommendations to the Director of the National Vaccine Program. Nominations are due 30 days from publication of this notice.
Source: Federal Register
Aug 11, 2026 - Discusses risks associated with farming, prevention measures, and how emergency medical services can save lives. Highlights how access to EMS can be challenging for rural areas and the importance of volunteers for maintaining services.
Source: Farm Progress: Dakota Farmer
Aug 10, 2026 - Summarizes a panel at an agricultural conference discussing farmer mental health. Discusses stigma, health insurance access, preventive care, healthcare access, and the impact of healthcare on rural communities.
Source: Oklahoma Farm Report
Aug 10, 2026 - Discusses the MAT Mobile Clinic in Iowa, a mobile unit offering both medication-assisted treatment for substance use disorders and wraparound services to improve recovery outcomes. The mobile unit improves access to treatment in rural communities, builds the knowledge base of local providers, and addresses stigma associated with substance use.
Source: Iowa Stories
Aug 10, 2026 - The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is seeking comments on an information collection titled "Extension to the Currently Approved 0930-0395 0930-0395 Generic Clearance for Grant Program Monitoring Activities." The proposed reports in this information collection are used to provide oversight across SAMHSA grant programs. Comments are due within 30 days of this notice.
Source: Federal Register
Aug 5, 2026 - A new pharmacy has opened in a rural Wisconsin community. Discusses the access challenges the community has previously faced and the advantages of participating in a network of pharmacies.
Source: WKBT
Aug 4, 2026 - Notice of a final rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) revising the hospital inpatient prospective payment system (IPPS) for operating and capital-related costs of acute care hospitals for fiscal year 2027. This rule also makes changes 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 requirements for certain quality programs, among other things. The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) also adopts certain health information technology (health IT) standards and specifications on behalf of HHS. These regulations are effective October 1, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Aug 4, 2026 - The American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer has added a new accreditation category for rural hospitals with the goal of improving healthcare quality and outcomes for cancer patients. Notes that there are fewer accredited hospitals and less access to specialty care in rural areas.
Source: PR Newswire
Aug 4, 2026 - Summarizes recent research finding that the first 5 years of the Veterans Affairs Clinical Resource Hubs program saw increased use of telemental health services among rural veterans. The study also found a shift in care delivery from clinic-based video visits to video visits in patients' homes.
Source: VA Health Systems Research News