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Rural Health Information Hub
Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
News by Topic: Healthcare needs and services

Jun 25, 2026 - Pre-publication notice of proposed rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) making changes related to End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) Prospective Payment System (PPS) for calendar year 2027 and proposing updates to the payment rate for renal dialysis services furnished by an ESRD facility to individuals with acute kidney injury (AKI). Among other things, this rule also proposes updated requirements for the ESRD Quality Incentive Program and includes requests for information (RFI) to inform future policies related to increasing home dialysis uptake, improving palliative dialysis, and supporting alternative dialysis schedules. Comments are due within 60 days of the publication of this notice, which is scheduled for June 26, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Jun 24, 2026 - A new philanthropic donation from Mike and Gillian Goodrich to the University of Alabama at Birmingham Marnix E. Heersink School of Medicine will support the training of rural primary care physicians and meet rural training and residency needs. Discusses how well-supported pathways to rural practice support rural health access.
Source: The University of Alabama at Birmingham News
Jun 24, 2026 - Announces proposed bipartisan legislation to provide funding covering emergency room operating expenses for rural hospitals. Highlights how hospital closures have affected rural Missouri communities.
Source: Office of Senator Josh Hawley
Jun 24, 2026 - Interviews West Virginia Secretary of Health Dr. Arvin Singh about a community paramedicine initiative to increase assessment and treatment for primary care needs, support chronic disease management, provide follow-up services, and connect people to care in cooperation with rural emergency medical services providers in West Virginia.
Source: West Virginia Public Broadcasting
Jun 23, 2026 - Offers an interview with a South Dakota State University assistant professor in the College of Nursing about rural healthcare challenges and the work the university is doing to address nursing workforce shortages in both short-term acute care and long-term care settings in rural communities.
Source: South Dakota State University News
Jun 23, 2026 - Highlights the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program (MIECHV) from the Health Resources and Services Administration. Discusses new data showing an increase in access for rural counties across the country.
Source: Health Resources & Services Administration
Jun 22, 2026 - Highlights new data showing increasing drive times to labor and delivery services for rural Arkansans. Discusses labor and delivery department closures in the state and how the population distribution makes offering the service challenging.
Source: Arkansas Advocate
Jun 22, 2026 - Notice from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) correcting the total number of responses listed in the June 15, 2026, notice.
Source: Federal Register
Jun 22, 2026 - Offers an interview with an independent pharmacy owner and the president of the Kansas Pharmacists Association. Discusses clinical services, sustainability, and recognizing community needs.
Source: Pharmacy Times
Jun 18, 2026 - The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is seeking comments on a request for information (RFI) regarding technical input on the services and business practices of pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) and their affiliates to inform implementation of recent legislation. The RFI specifically focuses on two specific legislative requirements that are effective beginning calendar year 2028: 1) restrictions on the remuneration that PBMs and their affiliates may receive for services in connection with the utilization of covered Part D drugs and 2) data reporting requirements. Comments are due by July 20, 2026.
Source: Federal Register