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Rural Health Information Hub
Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
News by Topic: Policy

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 31, 2025 - Notice from the U.S. Census Bureau allowing an additional 30 days for comments on proposed revisions to the National Survey of Children's Health (NSCH). NSCH is designed to collect data on the physical and emotional health of children age 18 and younger, including information related to access to healthcare, family interactions, and school and after-school experiences, among other things. Comments are due within 30 days of this notice.
Source: Federal Register
Mar 31, 2025 -

Summarizes recent National Institutes of Health (NIH) research comparing geographic differences in cardiovascular health and the factors contributing to the disparity including income, education, food security, and home ownership. Notes the potential impact of study findings on public health and policy related to the health of rural residents.

Source: National Institutes of Health
Mar 26, 2025 - The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will hold an open meeting on March 27, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. Eastern. Agenda items include a discussion of proposed rules that would ensure the reliability and interoperability of Next Generation 911 networks and strengthen caller location accuracy requirements for wireless calls to 911, among other things. The meeting can be viewed on the FCC website.
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 25, 2025 - Announcement from the United States Department of Agriculture, Rural Development (RD), which includes the Rural Business-Cooperative Service (RBCS), Rural Utilities Service (RUS), and Rural Housing Service (RHS), amending 14 funding opportunities to remove references to the prior Administration's key priorities and DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion)-related scoring criteria to bring them into compliance with the Executive Order, "Ending Radical And Wasteful Government DEI Programs And Preferencing", issued on January 20, 2025. Also confirms that previous key priorities and discretionary points will not be considered during application scoring and makes clear that applicants who already have applied do not need to reapply. This notice also corrects the Rural Energy for America funding notice to include an omitted funding source.
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 21, 2025 - Executive Order from the Office of the President intending to streamline federal government preparedness operations; update relevant policies to reduce complexity, and enable state and local governments to better understand, plan for, and ultimately address the needs of their citizens. Among other things, this Executive Order directs the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs (APNSA), in coordination with the Assistant to the President for Economic Policy and the heads of relevant executive departments and agencies, to publish a National Resilience Strategy that articulates the priorities, means, and ways to advance national resilience; and directs the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy and the heads of relevant agencies to review all critical infrastructure policies and recommend to revisions, recissions, and replacements necessary to achieve a more resilient posture.
Source: Federal Register
Mar 20, 2025 -

Executive Order from the Office of the President revoking 18 previous Executive Orders and Actions. Among other things, this Executive Order revokes actions related to COVID-19, infant formula, and funding for tribal nations.

Source: Federal Register