Rural Health
News by Topic: Healthcare needs and services
Aug 21, 2026 - Summarizes discussions among policymakers and maternal healthcare stakeholders in Arkansas regarding maternal and postpartum healthcare access across the state. Includes discussion on labor and delivery department losses and barriers to care with particular focus on rural communities.
Source: 40/29 News
CMS: Privacy Act of 1974; System of Records
Federal Register
Aug 20, 2026 - Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) establishing a new system of records titled "Nurses for Nursing Homes Program (NNHP)," which will cover records on individuals who apply for, participate in, or otherwise support the NNHP. CMS will use these records to support the administration of Nursing Home Staffing Campaign/Nursing Incentive Program (NHSC/NIP), a nursing workforce incentive program designed to strengthen the workforce serving Medicare and Medicaid-certified nursing homes with a focus on underserved and rural communities. This system of records is effective August 20, 2026. Comments are due September 21, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Aug 20, 2026 - Summarizes discussions from a National Conference of State Legislatures convening regarding coordination between federal and state officials to address healthcare workforce shortages, rural healthcare access gaps, and maternal health needs. Discusses the Federally Qualified Health Center program and telehealth.
Source: National Conference of State Legislatures
Aug 20, 2026 - Highlights a philanthropic program in 9 states to ensure rural hospitals have access to generic drugs during drug shortages. Discusses how the pilot program will offer rural hospitals more consistency in drug availability, potential cost savings, and the goal to offer the program nationally.
Source: The Daily Yonder
NTIA: First Responder Network Authority Combined Board and Board Committees Meeting
Federal Register
Aug 20, 2026 - Notice from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet Authority) announcing a public meeting of the FirstNet Authority Board and Board Committees on September 15, 2026, from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. Eastern. Agenda items are being finalized and will be published on the FirstNet Authority website. Public attendance will be available online only.
Source: Federal Register
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 17, 2026 - New philanthropic funding has been allocated for a Wyoming program that will expand and enhance stroke care across the state. Discusses the impact of distance to care on stroke outcomes and highlights positive outcomes for similar programs in other states.
Source: Cap City News
Aug 14, 2026 - The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is requesting comments on an information collection titled "Data Collection for the Residential Care Community and Adult Day Services Center Components of the National Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Study" regarding the data collected for the 2027 wave of the National Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Study. Comments are due October 13, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Aug 14, 2026 - Offers an interview with a community pharmacist discussing the role pharmacies play in overcoming healthcare and vaccine access challenges for rural communities.
Source: Drug Topics
Aug 14, 2026 - Highlights suicide prevention support options available through the Veterans Administration (VA) with a focus on rural residents, veterans not enrolled in VA healthcare, and veterans who have never received suicide support before.
Source: VA News