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Rural Health Information Hub
Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
News by Topic: Healthcare needs and services

Feb 9, 2026 - Touro University's medical and dental schools have built clinics and workforce pipelines in rural areas of California and New Mexico. The initiative gives students community-based training while increasing healthcare access for patients.
Source: Inside Higher Ed
Feb 6, 2026 - The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is seeking comments on the following information collections: 1) Emergency Preparedness Requirements for Medicare and Medicaid Participating Providers and Suppliers; 2) 13th SOW Quality Innovation Network—Quality Improvement Organization (QIN-QIO) and American Indian Alaskan Native (AIAN) Measure Data Collection; and 3) Conditions of Participation for Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facilities' (PRTFs) Use of Restraint & Seclusion. Comments are due by March 9, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Feb 6, 2026 - Rivergate Pharmacy and Compounding Center in Durango, Colorado is a specialized facility that combines, mixes, or alters medications to meet specific needs of individual patients or animals. The pharmacy provides service to rural areas of Southwest Colorado.
Source: Durango Herald
Feb 6, 2026 - A recent study found that rural EMS call times were at least 20 minutes longer than the national average, and nearly 40% of these calls were for patients with complex injuries, compared with a national average of 26.4%. Rural EMS providers also face challenges in pediatric and mental health care.
Source: EMS World
Feb 5, 2026 - Notice of final rule from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) establishing a new registration category for emergency medical services (EMS) agencies that handle controlled substances in accordance with the statutory requirements of the Protecting Patient Access to Emergency Medications Act of 2017. This rule creates standards for registering EMS agencies; establishes requirements for delivery, storage, and recordkeeping related to their handling of controlled substances; and allows EMS professionals to administer controlled substances outside the physical presence of a medical director or authorizing medical professional while providing emergency medical services. This rule is effective March 9, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Feb 5, 2026 - Describes proposed bipartisan legislation permanently authorizing telescreening mammography services in rural and other areas for veterans.
Source: The Office of Representative Glenn Thompson
Feb 4, 2026 - Describes proposed policy to increase emergency medical service (EMS) reimbursement rates in Kentucky. Highlights long response times across the state, particularly for rural residents, and the strain that underfunding puts on EMS workforce.
Source: Kentucky Lantern
Feb 4, 2026 - The Texas Legislature has provided funding through the Rural Engagement Program for Texas A&M Health to develop a practical program to train emergency room personnel to treat expectant mothers in rural Texas. The multidisciplinary training is designed for staff who may be the first to respond to an obstetric emergency.
Source: Texas A&M Health - Vital Record
Feb 3, 2026 - The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is seeking comments on the following information collections: 1) Bid Pricing Tool (BPT) for Medicare Advantage (MA) Plans and Prescription Drug Plans (PDP); and 2) Complaints Submission Process under the No Surprises Act. Comments are due by March 5, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Feb 3, 2026 - Executive Order from the Office of the President establishing the White House Great American Recovery Initiative. The Initiative will coordinate the Federal Government's response to the addiction crisis, including advising heads of executive departments and agencies on how to implement programs that integrate prevention, early intervention, treatment, recovery support, and re-entry into all relevant systems. The Initiative will be co-chaired by the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Senior Advisor for Addiction Recovery, and will have an Executive Director who shall administer the Initiative who will report to the Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy.
Source: Federal Register