Rural Health
News by Topic: Service delivery models
Jan 3, 2026 - Describes the disparate risk for suicide among rural farmers and offers recommendations for addressing that risk including telemedicine, farming support, developing hobbies, and more. Includes Iowa-focused resources for farmers.
Source: Iowa Capital Dispatch
Jan 2, 2026 - Announces that the COVID-19 public health emergency telemedicine flexibilities have been extended until December 31, 2026. Notes that the flexibility increases access to prescriptions for controlled medications for rural residents and others.
Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
DEA, HHS: Fourth Temporary Extension of COVID-19 Telemedicine Flexibilities for Prescription of Controlled Medications
Federal Register
Dec 31, 2025 - The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is issuing a temporary rule to extend certain exceptions to existing DEA regulations implemented in March 2020 because of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (COVID-19 PHE). The full set of telemedicine flexibilities regarding the prescription of controlled medications that were in place during the COVID-19 PHE as outlined in the Third Temporary Rule will remain in place through December 31, 2026. This rule is effective January 1, 2026, through December 31, 2026.
Source: Federal Register