Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Policy
How USPS Network Changes Threaten Prescription Drug Access for Vulnerable Populations
Discusses the impact of mail processing changes on mail-order medication and asthma and diabetes management for rural communities. Highlights the "triple burden" of limited pharmacy access, high use of mail-order prescriptions, and proximity to postal service restructuring. Includes rural and urban comparisons, Medicare data, and county-level analysis.
Author(s): Elena Patel, Joshua Feng, Matthew Higgins
Date: 12/2025
Sponsoring organization: The Brookings Institution
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Discusses the impact of mail processing changes on mail-order medication and asthma and diabetes management for rural communities. Highlights the "triple burden" of limited pharmacy access, high use of mail-order prescriptions, and proximity to postal service restructuring. Includes rural and urban comparisons, Medicare data, and county-level analysis.
Author(s): Elena Patel, Joshua Feng, Matthew Higgins
Date: 12/2025
Sponsoring organization: The Brookings Institution
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Advancing Trauma Systems in the United States: Bridging Disparities Through State-Level Legislation and a Health Systems Approach
Discusses disparities in trauma care in rural and urban communities in the United States. Examines weaknesses in the current trauma system and provides associated legislative solutions. Offers policy strategies for rural regions and trauma systems with limited capacity.
Author(s): Bilal Irfan, Zain Hashmi, Tatiana Ramos, Molly Jarman
Citation: Health Services Research, e70073
Date: 12/2025
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Discusses disparities in trauma care in rural and urban communities in the United States. Examines weaknesses in the current trauma system and provides associated legislative solutions. Offers policy strategies for rural regions and trauma systems with limited capacity.
Author(s): Bilal Irfan, Zain Hashmi, Tatiana Ramos, Molly Jarman
Citation: Health Services Research, e70073
Date: 12/2025
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Early Adoption of Telehealth/Remote Patient Monitoring and Hospital Revenue Changes During COVID-19
Evaluates telehealth and remote patient monitoring use between 2019 and 2020 among 1,742 rural and urban hospitals to determine the impact of COVID-19 on utilization and revenue. Discusses potential policy measures given study findings.
Author(s): Claudia A. Rhoades, Brian E. Whitacre, Alison F. Davis
Citation: Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare, 31(10)
Date: 12/2025
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Evaluates telehealth and remote patient monitoring use between 2019 and 2020 among 1,742 rural and urban hospitals to determine the impact of COVID-19 on utilization and revenue. Discusses potential policy measures given study findings.
Author(s): Claudia A. Rhoades, Brian E. Whitacre, Alison F. Davis
Citation: Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare, 31(10)
Date: 12/2025
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SBA's Rural Activities
Describes the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) programs targeting rural small businesses. Discusses how SBA coordinates with the U.S. Department of Agriculture on rural small business issues, the history of the SBA Office of Rural Affairs, and considerations for Congress.
Date: 12/2025
Sponsoring organization: Congressional Research Service
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Describes the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) programs targeting rural small businesses. Discusses how SBA coordinates with the U.S. Department of Agriculture on rural small business issues, the history of the SBA Office of Rural Affairs, and considerations for Congress.
Date: 12/2025
Sponsoring organization: Congressional Research Service
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Georgia Tax Incentive Evaluation: Rural Hospital Tax Credit
An audit of the Georgia Rural Hospital Tax Credit, discussing both fiscal and economic impacts as well as public benefits. Offers an overview of the history of the program, how the tax credit operates, and characteristics of tax credit recipient hospitals.
Additional links: Report Summary
Author(s): Peter Bluestone, Federico Corredor
Date: 11/2025
Sponsoring organization: Georgia State University Andrew Young School of Policy Studies
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An audit of the Georgia Rural Hospital Tax Credit, discussing both fiscal and economic impacts as well as public benefits. Offers an overview of the history of the program, how the tax credit operates, and characteristics of tax credit recipient hospitals.
Additional links: Report Summary
Author(s): Peter Bluestone, Federico Corredor
Date: 11/2025
Sponsoring organization: Georgia State University Andrew Young School of Policy Studies
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Addressing Older Adult Homelessness and Housing Instability in Rural California
Discusses homelessness among older adults in rural California, highlighting their risk factors and infrastructure challenges. Offers policy recommendations covering data collection, resource allocation, service coordination, support services, and legal solutions.
Author(s): Pauline DeLange Martinez, Elizabeth Bogumil, Helen Miltiades, et al.
Date: 11/2025
Sponsoring organizations: The SCAN Foundation, UC Davis Health
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Discusses homelessness among older adults in rural California, highlighting their risk factors and infrastructure challenges. Offers policy recommendations covering data collection, resource allocation, service coordination, support services, and legal solutions.
Author(s): Pauline DeLange Martinez, Elizabeth Bogumil, Helen Miltiades, et al.
Date: 11/2025
Sponsoring organizations: The SCAN Foundation, UC Davis Health
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Closing the Care Gap: Strengthening Long-Term Services and Supports in Rural California
Describes gaps in long-term services and providers for rural older adults in California and offers policy recommendations to address those gaps. Discusses the direct care workforce, aging-related barriers to support, family caregiving support, and workforce education.
Author(s): Pauline DeLange Martinez, Elizabeth Bogumil, Helen Miltiades, et al.
Date: 11/2025
Sponsoring organizations: The SCAN Foundation, UC Davis Health
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Describes gaps in long-term services and providers for rural older adults in California and offers policy recommendations to address those gaps. Discusses the direct care workforce, aging-related barriers to support, family caregiving support, and workforce education.
Author(s): Pauline DeLange Martinez, Elizabeth Bogumil, Helen Miltiades, et al.
Date: 11/2025
Sponsoring organizations: The SCAN Foundation, UC Davis Health
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Rural Health Care Policy Solutions for California's Older Adults
Describes healthcare disparities for rural older adults in California and offers policy recommendations to address those disparities. Discusses the healthcare workforce, workforce training, navigating complex systems, age-friendly care, care coordination, transportation, digital health, and community-based support and resources.
Author(s): Pauline DeLange Martinez, Elizabeth Bogumil, Helen Miltiades, et al.
Date: 11/2025
Sponsoring organizations: The SCAN Foundation, UC Davis Health
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Describes healthcare disparities for rural older adults in California and offers policy recommendations to address those disparities. Discusses the healthcare workforce, workforce training, navigating complex systems, age-friendly care, care coordination, transportation, digital health, and community-based support and resources.
Author(s): Pauline DeLange Martinez, Elizabeth Bogumil, Helen Miltiades, et al.
Date: 11/2025
Sponsoring organizations: The SCAN Foundation, UC Davis Health
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New Jersey Rural Health Transformation Program Application
New Jersey's application for the Rural Health Transformation Program. Discusses the rural health landscape in the state, rural residents' healthcare needs, proposed initiatives and uses of funds, and more.
Date: 11/2025
Sponsoring organizations: New Jersey Department of Health, New Jersey Department of Human Services
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New Jersey's application for the Rural Health Transformation Program. Discusses the rural health landscape in the state, rural residents' healthcare needs, proposed initiatives and uses of funds, and more.
Date: 11/2025
Sponsoring organizations: New Jersey Department of Health, New Jersey Department of Human Services
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Telehealth FAQ Calendar Year 2026
Provides information on Medicare telehealth regulations and payment policy for calendar year 2026. Includes information on audio-only services, behavioral health services, direct supervision, and more. Highlights changes that take effect on January 31, 2026 under current law.
Date: 11/2025
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
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Provides information on Medicare telehealth regulations and payment policy for calendar year 2026. Includes information on audio-only services, behavioral health services, direct supervision, and more. Highlights changes that take effect on January 31, 2026 under current law.
Date: 11/2025
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
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