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Rural Health
News by Topic: Legislation and regulations

Nov 3, 2026 - Notice of final rule from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) finalizing revisions to 45 CFR 84.4(g) in the regulation implementing section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as it applies to recipients of HHS funding to exclude gender dysphoria from the definition of "disability" and "individual with a disability." This rule is effective January 4, 2027.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 2, 2026 - Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) seeking comments on the reinstatement of an information collection titled "Inpatient Psychiatric Unit Criteria Work Sheet." Information collected is used by inpatient psychiatric units (IPUs) to prove that they meet the requirements to be exempt from receiving payment from Medicare under the lower paying hospital inpatient prospective payment system (IPPS). Comments are due by January 4, 2027.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 2, 2026 - The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is seeking comments on revisions to an information collection titled "Pre-Claim Review Demonstration For Home Health Services." The approval of this data collection process is essential to ensure that the Review Choice Demonstration for Home Health Services is expanded to California within the specified timeframe. Comments are due by November 16, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Oct 30, 2026 - Notice of final rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) making changes related to the End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) Prospective Payment System (PPS) for calendar year 2027 and updating the payment rate for renal dialysis services furnished by an ESRD facility to individuals with acute kidney injury (AKI). This rule also updates the requirements for the ESRD Quality Incentive Program. These regulations are effective January 1, 2027.
Source: Federal Register
Oct 28, 2026 - Notice of a final rule from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) making deregulatory actions related to health information technology standards, implementation specifications, and certification criteria and certification programs for health information technology. Summarizes and responds to comments received in response to the December 29, 2025, proposed rule. This final rule is effective December 28, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Oct 27, 2026 - Notice of proposed rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) regarding requirements outlined in the Working Families Tax Cut (WFTC) legislation related to health insurance exchange eligibility and verification. This proposed rule also includes updates to provisions affecting inconsistency periods, inconsistency verification procedures, and annual eligibility redeterminations and eligibility redeterminations during the plan year. This rule also proposes expanding enrollment methods during the verification process and establishing new coverage effective dates. Comments are due November 27, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Oct 22, 2026 - Discusses new proposed New Jersey legislation that would establish micro-hospitals to support hospital access in rural communities. The legislation would allow hospitals to offer fewer services that are underutilized. Notes other states that have opened micro-hospitals.
Source: New Jersey Monitor
Oct 20, 2026 - Notice of a proposed rule that would implement the following sections of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026: 1) section 6219, "Adjustments to Medicare Part D Cost-Sharing Reductions for Low-Income Individuals;" 2) section 6220, "Requiring Enhanced and Accurate Lists of (REAL) Health Providers Act;" and 3) section 6224, "Modernizing and Ensuring Pharmacy Benefit Manager Accountability." The implementation of Section 6219 would reduce the generic drug copayment from $1 to $0 for full-benefit dual eligible individuals at or below 100% of the Federal Poverty Level, effective for plan years starting January 1, 2028. The implementation of Section 6220, the REAL Health Providers Act, would establish new provider directory accuracy and accountability requirements for Medicare Advantage (MA) organizations beginning in contract year 2028. In addition, CMS has several proposals to implement section 6224, which established requirements related to pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) and their affiliates specific to the Medicare Part D program. Comments are due by December 15, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Oct 16, 2026 - Discusses a new clinically integrated network for rural Oregon hospitals including various regulations and participating hospitals.
Source: Willamette Week
Oct 14, 2026 - Notice from the Indian Health Service (IHS) seeking comments on a proposed reinstatement of an information collection titled "Purchased/Referred Care (PRC) Proof of Residency." The information collected is used to verify that individuals seeking medical services through PRC meet the residency requirements. Comments are due by December 14, 2026.
Source: Federal Register