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Rural Health Information Hub
Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
News by Topic: Service delivery models

May 29, 2026 - Pre-publication notice of a final rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) updating and revising the Increasing Organ Transplant Access Model (IOTA Model) for Performance Year (PY) 2. The IOTA Model tests whether performance-based upside risk payments or downside risk payments paid to or owed by participating kidney transplant hospitals increase access to kidney transplants for patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) while preserving or enhancing the quality of care and reducing Medicare expenditures. This rule is effective 30 days after the publication of this notice, which is scheduled for June 1, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
May 27, 2026 - Describes a telehealth program connecting patients in New Hampshire and Vermont rural hospitals with neonatologists. Notes that nearly half of babies receiving a consult are able to stay at their local facility. Success of the program led to expanding into outpatient high-risk obstetrics care and fetal-maternal medicine services. Expansion into emergency obstetrics is also planned.
Source: HealthLeaders Media
May 27, 2026 - Highlights a Maine mobile health unit as a solution for transportation barriers that keep rural residents from accessing healthcare. The unit offers maternal and child healthcare in addition to other services.
Source: WABI
May 22, 2026 - A proposed health initiative focused on chronic disease prevention could help residents of rural Ellis County, Kansas avoid preventable hospital visits. The Kansas Regional Chronic Disease Intelligence and Action Pilot Program would encourage use of shared data tools, evidence-based public health strategies, and regional coordination efforts.
Source: Hays Post
May 20, 2026 - Interview with Andrew M. Southerland, professor of neurology and public health sciences at the University of Virginia. Describes how the UVA telestroke program helps ensure that patients receive timely evaluation and treatment recommendations near home, while also identifying patients who may benefit from transfer to a comprehensive stroke center.
Source: DocWire News
May 13, 2026 - The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) is encouraging HRSA-funded health centers to expand efforts to promote proper nutrition as part of the Administration's Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) initiative. Expanding access to food-based interventions can help improve health outcomes for patients with chronic diseases and other conditions.
Source: Health Resources & Services Administration
May 12, 2026 - The Collaborative for Healthy Rural America announced that Instacart's new affiliation with the organization will help provide food access as part of healthcare delivery models focused on chronic disease prevention and rural healthcare access. The group is focused on helping states implement Rural Health Transformation initiatives.
Source: Pulse 2.0
May 11, 2026 - Notice of an interim final rule with request for comments from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) extending the web content and mobile application (app) accessibility compliance dates established in the May 9, 2024, final rule. The compliance date for recipients with 15 or more employees is extended to May 11, 2027. The compliance date for recipients with fewer than 15 employees is extended to May 10, 2028. This rule is effective May 7, 2026. Comments are due by July 6, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
May 7, 2026 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Rural Utilities Service (RUS) is accepting applications for the Distance Learning and Telemedicine (DLT) grant program for fiscal year 2026. DLT grant funds support the use of telecommunications-enabled information, audio and video equipment, and related advanced technologies by students, teachers, medical professionals, and rural residents. Program guidance and application forms are available on USDA's website.
Source: Federal Register
Related funding: Distance Learning and Telemedicine Program Grants
May 6, 2026 - A Missouri University of Science and Technology medical drone delivery program is trialing the delivery of time-sensitive medical materials, including blood and lab samples, between hospital hubs and smaller communities in Missouri.
Source: Fox News