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Rural Health Information Hub
Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
News by Topic: Legislation and regulations

Apr 1, 2025 - Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) seeking comments on an information collection Medicare Transaction Facilitator (MTF) for 2026 and 2027 under Sections 11001 and 11002 of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). The MTF will collect information from manufacturers of drugs covered under Medicare Part D selected will be used for negotiation under the Inflation Reduction Act for the initial price applicability years 2026 and 2027 and the dispensing entities that dispense the selected drugs to MFP-eligible individuals. Comments are due by May 1, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Mar 25, 2025 - Notice of final rule from the Federal Communications Commission regarding the implementation of Next Generation 911 (NG911), which requires wireline providers, Commercial Mobile Radio Service (CMRS) providers, covered text providers, providers of interconnected Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services, and providers of internet-based Telecommunications Relay Service (internet-based TRS) to transition to NG911 in coordination with 911 authorities. Compliance with this rule is effective March 25, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Mar 24, 2025 - Notice of final rule from the Drug Enforcement Administration and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) further 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." These final rules will now be effective December 31, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Mar 21, 2025 - The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is seeking comments on the following information collections: 1) Application for Enrollment in Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance); 2) Application for Medicare Part A and Part B Special Enrollment Period (Exceptional Circumstances); 3) Request for Enrollment in Supplementary Medical Insurance (SMI); 4) CMS Plan Benefit Package (PBP) and Formulary CY 2026; and 5) Dual Eligible Special Needs Plan Contract with the State Medicaid Agency. Comments are due by April 21, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Mar 19, 2025 - Notice of proposed rule related to implementation of Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and Health Insurance Marketplace. Among other things, this rule proposes revisions to standards relating to past-due premium payments; the evidentiary standard HHS uses to assess an agent's, broker's, or web-broker's potential noncompliance; income eligibility verifications for premium tax credits and cost-sharing reductions; annual eligibility redetermination; the annual open enrollment period; special enrollment periods; and more. Comments are due by April 11, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Mar 13, 2025 - Notice from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) announcing the adjusted income eligibility guidelines for free and reduced-price meals and free milk through the National School Lunch Program (and Commodity School Program), School Breakfast Program, Special Milk Program for Children, Child and Adult Care Food Program, Summer Food Service Program, and Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer for Children Program. These guidelines are applicable from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Mar 10, 2025 -

Offers an overview of a proposed Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services rule implementing changes to the Health Insurance Marketplaces. Changes include premium payment guidelines, enrollment, eligibility guidelines, services offered, and compliance regulation.

Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Mar 10, 2025 - Notice from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) announcing the adjusted income eligibility guidelines for States to use to determine the income eligibility of applicants to the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). These guidelines are applicable July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Mar 10, 2025 - Notice from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) announcing the adjusted levels of monthly benefits in the Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer for Children (Summer EBT) Program. These benefit levels are applicable January 1, 2025, through December 31, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Mar 3, 2025 - Policy statement from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Immediate Office of the Secretary rescinding the policy on Public Participation in Rule Making and re-aligning HHS's rule-making procedures with the Administrative Procedure Act. In accordance with the APA, HHS agencies and offices are not required to apply notice and comment procedures of 5 U.S.C. 553 for "matters relating to agency management or personnel or to public property, loans, grants, benefits, or contracts," except as otherwise required by law.
Source: Federal Register