Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Policy
Health Panel Comment Letter - Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, HHS Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters for 2027; and Basic Health Program
Offers comments in response to a February 11, 2026, proposed rule regarding methods to improve the implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Discusses rural-specific issues related to cost sharing for bronze and catastrophic plans.
Date: 03/2026
Sponsoring organization: Rural Policy Research Institute Rural Health Panel
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Offers comments in response to a February 11, 2026, proposed rule regarding methods to improve the implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Discusses rural-specific issues related to cost sharing for bronze and catastrophic plans.
Date: 03/2026
Sponsoring organization: Rural Policy Research Institute Rural Health Panel
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Hunger Doesn't Take a Vacation: The Reach of Summer Meals
Examines utilization of federal summer nutrition programs for children in 2024. Provides statistics on summer meals and information on the impact of the Rural Non-Congregate Option legislation implemented in Summer 2024.
Author(s): K. Boone, C. Hayes
Date: 03/2026
Sponsoring organization: Food Research & Action Center
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Examines utilization of federal summer nutrition programs for children in 2024. Provides statistics on summer meals and information on the impact of the Rural Non-Congregate Option legislation implemented in Summer 2024.
Author(s): K. Boone, C. Hayes
Date: 03/2026
Sponsoring organization: Food Research & Action Center
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Understanding Upcoming Deadlines of New Section 504 Requirements
Recording of a March 30, 2026, webinar reviewing updates to Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, titled "Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability in Programs or Activities Receiving Federal Financial Assistance," that take effect for Medicare and Medicaid providers, including Rural Health Clinics, in summer 2026. Describes new requirements for the accessibility of medical treatment, kiosks, web content, mobile applications, medical equipment and facilities, and more. Part of the Rural Health Clinic Technical Assistance Series.
Additional links: Presentation Slides
Date: 03/2026
Sponsoring organization: National Association of Rural Health Clinics
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Recording of a March 30, 2026, webinar reviewing updates to Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, titled "Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability in Programs or Activities Receiving Federal Financial Assistance," that take effect for Medicare and Medicaid providers, including Rural Health Clinics, in summer 2026. Describes new requirements for the accessibility of medical treatment, kiosks, web content, mobile applications, medical equipment and facilities, and more. Part of the Rural Health Clinic Technical Assistance Series.
Additional links: Presentation Slides
Date: 03/2026
Sponsoring organization: National Association of Rural Health Clinics
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Strengthening the Rural Health Workforce
Discusses legislation passed by state legislatures to address rural healthcare workforce challenges. Describes policies related to measuring the health workforce, encouraging rural practice, enhancing access to specialty care, and retaining rural healthcare professionals.
Author(s): Kelsie George
Date: 03/2026
Sponsoring organization: National Conference of State Legislatures
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Discusses legislation passed by state legislatures to address rural healthcare workforce challenges. Describes policies related to measuring the health workforce, encouraging rural practice, enhancing access to specialty care, and retaining rural healthcare professionals.
Author(s): Kelsie George
Date: 03/2026
Sponsoring organization: National Conference of State Legislatures
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Increasing Access to Oral Health Care in Rural Communities
Describes strategies states are implementing to meet the oral health needs of their rural communities. Covers initiatives related to telehealth, expanding the dental workforce, medical-dental integration, as well as initiatives proposed as part of state Rural Health Transformation Program applications.
Author(s): Megan D'Alessandro, Katie Greene
Date: 03/2026
Sponsoring organization: National Academy for State Health Policy
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Describes strategies states are implementing to meet the oral health needs of their rural communities. Covers initiatives related to telehealth, expanding the dental workforce, medical-dental integration, as well as initiatives proposed as part of state Rural Health Transformation Program applications.
Author(s): Megan D'Alessandro, Katie Greene
Date: 03/2026
Sponsoring organization: National Academy for State Health Policy
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Environmental Risk Factors and Iowa's Cancer Crisis: A 2026 Report
Reports on environmental factors influencing the high incidence of cancer in Iowa, including detailed discussion on cancer risks related to pesticides, PFAS, nitrates, radon, and other topics related to agricultural and industrial safety. Provides recommendations for strengthening environmental health in agricultural policy.
Author(s): Colleen Fowle, Sarah Howe, Kerri Johannsen, et al.
Date: 03/2026
Sponsoring organizations: Iowa Environmental Council, The Harkin Institute
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Reports on environmental factors influencing the high incidence of cancer in Iowa, including detailed discussion on cancer risks related to pesticides, PFAS, nitrates, radon, and other topics related to agricultural and industrial safety. Provides recommendations for strengthening environmental health in agricultural policy.
Author(s): Colleen Fowle, Sarah Howe, Kerri Johannsen, et al.
Date: 03/2026
Sponsoring organizations: Iowa Environmental Council, The Harkin Institute
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CMS Innovation Center: Obligations and Model Testing Progress
Discusses the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Innovation Center's (Innovation Center) financial obligations from 2011 through 2024 and how it used the funds to develop and test new healthcare payment and service delivery models. Describes the outcomes of model testing, highlighting four models that CMS certified for expansion. Explores the extent to which the Innovation Center uses selected performance management practices to regularly assess its efforts.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 03/2026
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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Discusses the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Innovation Center's (Innovation Center) financial obligations from 2011 through 2024 and how it used the funds to develop and test new healthcare payment and service delivery models. Describes the outcomes of model testing, highlighting four models that CMS certified for expansion. Explores the extent to which the Innovation Center uses selected performance management practices to regularly assess its efforts.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 03/2026
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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Healthcare Priorities in Governors' 2026 State of the State Addresses
Summarizes common themes from governors' 2026 legislative addresses regarding healthcare. Highlights rural healthcare access, the Rural Health Transformation Program, workforce, healthcare technology, licensing reform, affordability, and more.
Date: 03/2026
Sponsoring organization: National Governors Association
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Summarizes common themes from governors' 2026 legislative addresses regarding healthcare. Highlights rural healthcare access, the Rural Health Transformation Program, workforce, healthcare technology, licensing reform, affordability, and more.
Date: 03/2026
Sponsoring organization: National Governors Association
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Effect of Medicaid Audio-Only Telehealth Coverage Policy on Mental Health Visits in Federally Qualified Health Centers
Examines the impact of Medicaid audio-only coverage (MAOC) and telehealth policy on mental health usage at Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs). Utilizes 2016-2022 FQHC-level Uniform Data Systems (UDS) data to analyze mental health visit rates and MAOC policy implementation according to rural versus urban location as well as presence or absence of a primary telemental health service.
Author(s): Khyathi Gadag, Kanika Arora, Brian Kaskie, Whitney E. Zahnd
Citation: Health Services Research, 61(2), e70107
Date: 03/2026
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Examines the impact of Medicaid audio-only coverage (MAOC) and telehealth policy on mental health usage at Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs). Utilizes 2016-2022 FQHC-level Uniform Data Systems (UDS) data to analyze mental health visit rates and MAOC policy implementation according to rural versus urban location as well as presence or absence of a primary telemental health service.
Author(s): Khyathi Gadag, Kanika Arora, Brian Kaskie, Whitney E. Zahnd
Citation: Health Services Research, 61(2), e70107
Date: 03/2026
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An Early Look at Profitability Before and After Conversion to Rural Emergency Hospital
Examines the impact of the Rural Emergency Hospital (REH) designation on profitability of hospitals. Analyzes Medicare Cost Reports (MCRs) from 32 REHs before and after conversion and provides information on REH total and operating margins.
Author(s): Aditya Pillutla, George Pink, Kristie Thompson, Mark Holmes
Date: 03/2026
Sponsoring organization: North Carolina Rural Health Research Program
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Examines the impact of the Rural Emergency Hospital (REH) designation on profitability of hospitals. Analyzes Medicare Cost Reports (MCRs) from 32 REHs before and after conversion and provides information on REH total and operating margins.
Author(s): Aditya Pillutla, George Pink, Kristie Thompson, Mark Holmes
Date: 03/2026
Sponsoring organization: North Carolina Rural Health Research Program
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