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Rural Health Information Hub
Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
News by Topic: Healthcare needs and services

Mar 6, 2025 -

Highlights the Home-Based Primary Care program offered by the West Texas VA Health Care System in an effort to expand access to healthcare for rural veterans. Notes a variety of service delivery models are being used to reach more veterans with healthcare services.

Source: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Feb 25, 2025 -

Announces new funding from the Indian Health Service to 8 tribes and tribal organizations to build, expand, or renovate small ambulatory healthcare facilities.

Source: Indian Health Service
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 - 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 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
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 22, 2025 - Highlights recent research studies on obstetric service access in rural communities nationally and in Minnesota. Discusses distance to care, reasons for closures, and projected shortages of obstetric and gynecology physicians.
Source: MinnPost
Jan 22, 2025 - Summarizes recent research finding that rural areas have a shortage of ophthalmic surgeons despite a higher need for ophthalmic surgery for rural residents. Discusses trends in access to eye surgeons and specialists between 2012 and 2022 and regional access disparities.
Source: HealthDay News
Jan 21, 2025 - Request for comments on a draft of the Mobile Crisis Team Services: An Implementation Toolkit. The document offers guidance and resources to plan, implement, and maintain mobile crisis teams supporting mental health and substance use-related behavioral health crises and includes rural-specific considerations. Comments are accepted through March 21, 2025.
Source: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration