Skip to main content
Rural Health Information Hub
Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
News by Topic: Women

Nov 1, 2024 - Announcement of new policies included in the 2025 Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System and Ambulatory Surgical Center final rule. Describes updated health and safety requirements for hospitals and Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) to improve and expand access to quality maternal and behavioral health care. Notes policy changes including updated payment rates, staffing standards, quality assessments, training requirements, and expanded coverage for services provided outside the "four walls" of behavioral health clinics and clinics located in rural areas.
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Oct 28, 2024 - Notice from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) seeking comments on a proposed information collection related to the implementation and effectiveness of modernization projects across all 88 Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) State agencies to help identify successes, opportunities for improvement, and areas for additional support from FNS to strengthen project implementation. Comments are due by December 27, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Oct 22, 2024 - The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) is seeking comments on a draft recommendation to update the HRSA-supported Women's Preventive Services Guidelines relating to screening and counseling for intimate partner and domestic violence, breast cancer screening for women at average risk, and patient navigation for breast and cervical cancer screening. These draft recommendations have been developed by the Women's Preventive Services Initiative (WPSI), through which clinicians, academics, and expert health professionals develop draft recommendations for HRSA's consideration. Comments are due by November 21, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Oct 15, 2024 - Notice from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) announcing modifications to the organization of the Maternal and Child Health Bureau (MCHB). This reorganization establishes the Office of Strategy, Innovation, and External Affairs and the Division of Women's Health.
Source: Federal Register
Oct 14, 2024 - Discusses higher breast cancer mortality rates among American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) women. Explores treatment barriers including transportation and long distances to care. Notes lower screening rates among AI/AN women and efforts to develop more culturally responsive outreach tools.
Source: ABC News
Oct 14, 2024 - Highlights two mobile clinic programs offering a variety of women's health services, including birth control, to rural communities in Texas and Arkansas. Notes that mobile clinics can help improve access to women's health services in rural areas, but are often expensive to operate. Describes funding strategies, community partnerships, legal considerations, and the utilization of community health workers for mobile clinic programs.
Source: KFF Health News
Oct 2, 2024 - Discusses how recent federal funding for rural healthcare services will be used in Mississippi and Alabama. Mississippi is focusing on maternal health, noting that Black Mississippi women in particular have high mortality rates. Alabama is focusing on opioid use disorder. Discusses workforce needs for the 2 states, measuring success, and the anticipated positive impact on surrounding states.
Source: WWNO
Sep 19, 2024 - Notice from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) seeking comments on a proposed information collection for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Health Outcomes and Participant Experience (HOPE) Study. Information collected will provide the USDA and FNS with information about the population WIC serves, how well WIC services align with participants' needs, and how WIC influences participants' health outcomes. Comments are due by November 18, 2024.
Source: Federal Register