Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Policy
The Universal Service Fund and Related FCC Broadband Programs: Overview and Considerations for Congress
Provides an overview of the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) Universal Service Fund (USF) and its four programs: the High Cost Program, Lifeline Program, Schools and Libraries Program, and Rural Health Care Program. Outlines considerations for Congress for each program. Describes legislation introduced in the 119th Congress that would impact the USF programs.
Date: 01/2026
Sponsoring organization: Congressional Research Service
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Provides an overview of the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) Universal Service Fund (USF) and its four programs: the High Cost Program, Lifeline Program, Schools and Libraries Program, and Rural Health Care Program. Outlines considerations for Congress for each program. Describes legislation introduced in the 119th Congress that would impact the USF programs.
Date: 01/2026
Sponsoring organization: Congressional Research Service
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Rural Emergency Hospital (REH) Model Frequently Asked Questions
Provides answers to frequently asked questions regarding the Rural Emergency Hospital (REH) designation. Covers general information, Conditions of Participation, and REH payment policies.
Date: 01/2026
Sponsoring organizations: Mathematica, Rural Health Redesign Center
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Provides answers to frequently asked questions regarding the Rural Emergency Hospital (REH) designation. Covers general information, Conditions of Participation, and REH payment policies.
Date: 01/2026
Sponsoring organizations: Mathematica, Rural Health Redesign Center
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Evidence Matters: Transforming Knowledge into Housing and Community Development Policy - Rural Housing
Examines housing challenges in rural areas such as affordability, structural inadequacy, homelessness, aging in place, and disaster response and recovery. Discusses the importance of defining rural as well as local, state, and federal policy and initiatives that address rural housing issues.
Author(s): Gretchen Armstrong, Amanda Gold, Sage Computing
Date: 2026
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
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Examines housing challenges in rural areas such as affordability, structural inadequacy, homelessness, aging in place, and disaster response and recovery. Discusses the importance of defining rural as well as local, state, and federal policy and initiatives that address rural housing issues.
Author(s): Gretchen Armstrong, Amanda Gold, Sage Computing
Date: 2026
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
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Reducing Behavioral Health Licensure Barriers Through Supervision Incentives
Examines the impact of the Behavioral Health Education Center of Nebraska's American Rescue Plan Act supervision incentive program to promote school clinical supervision of behavioral health professionals. Provides information on organizational characteristics and supervision barriers of 19 Nebraska organizations who received funding assistance to supervise provisionally licensed behavioral health providers. Discusses the importance of supporting supervisory capacity in rural areas.
Author(s): Jessica Buche, Caitlyn Wayment, Sydney Buckland, Marley Doyle, Melissa Tibbits
Citation: Journal of Rural Mental Health
Date: 2026
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Examines the impact of the Behavioral Health Education Center of Nebraska's American Rescue Plan Act supervision incentive program to promote school clinical supervision of behavioral health professionals. Provides information on organizational characteristics and supervision barriers of 19 Nebraska organizations who received funding assistance to supervise provisionally licensed behavioral health providers. Discusses the importance of supporting supervisory capacity in rural areas.
Author(s): Jessica Buche, Caitlyn Wayment, Sydney Buckland, Marley Doyle, Melissa Tibbits
Citation: Journal of Rural Mental Health
Date: 2026
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The 2026 Summer Nutrition Summit - Digital Agenda
Provides the agenda and slide decks from the No Kid Hungry 2026 Summer Nutrition Summit. Focuses on topics such as summer non-congregate meals in rural areas, creation of sustainable summer food programs, outreach and communication about meal availability, and case studies describing rural summer food programs.
Date: 2026
Sponsoring organization: No Kid Hungry
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Provides the agenda and slide decks from the No Kid Hungry 2026 Summer Nutrition Summit. Focuses on topics such as summer non-congregate meals in rural areas, creation of sustainable summer food programs, outreach and communication about meal availability, and case studies describing rural summer food programs.
Date: 2026
Sponsoring organization: No Kid Hungry
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The State of Health in Tennessee 2025: Annual Report to the 114th Tennessee General Assembly
Assesses the health status of Tennesseans across the four areas of the State Health Plan Framework: A Healthy Start, A Healthy Life, a Healthy Environment, and a Healthy System of Care. Includes a section on social determinants of health and features statistics on various populations and aspects of healthcare, including rural hospital closures.
Date: 12/2025
Sponsoring organization: Tennessee Department of Health
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Assesses the health status of Tennesseans across the four areas of the State Health Plan Framework: A Healthy Start, A Healthy Life, a Healthy Environment, and a Healthy System of Care. Includes a section on social determinants of health and features statistics on various populations and aspects of healthcare, including rural hospital closures.
Date: 12/2025
Sponsoring organization: Tennessee Department of Health
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Trends in Non-Emergency Medical Transportation During Medicaid Transformation in North Carolina
Examines the impact of Medicaid transformation on non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT) services in North Carolina in the shift from fee-for-service (FFS) to Managed Care. Utilizes 2019-2023 Medicaid claims data to analyze NEMT service provision trends according to cost, travel mode, public versus private provider, and urban versus rural geography.
Author(s): Evan Iacobucci, Noreen McDonald
Citation: North Carolina Medical Journal, 86(4)
Date: 12/2025
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Examines the impact of Medicaid transformation on non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT) services in North Carolina in the shift from fee-for-service (FFS) to Managed Care. Utilizes 2019-2023 Medicaid claims data to analyze NEMT service provision trends according to cost, travel mode, public versus private provider, and urban versus rural geography.
Author(s): Evan Iacobucci, Noreen McDonald
Citation: North Carolina Medical Journal, 86(4)
Date: 12/2025
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Beyond the Battlefield: Restoring Connection for Missouri's Rural Veterans
Assesses health disparities among Missouri's rural veterans and discusses the need for coordinated, statewide action to address veterans' health needs. Highlights topics related to mental health, chronic health conditions, geographic limitations on access to care, broadband infrastructure, and more.
Author(s): Derek Landes, Libby Trammell, Kaitlyn Onanian
Date: 12/2025
Sponsoring organization: Missouri Rural Health Association
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Assesses health disparities among Missouri's rural veterans and discusses the need for coordinated, statewide action to address veterans' health needs. Highlights topics related to mental health, chronic health conditions, geographic limitations on access to care, broadband infrastructure, and more.
Author(s): Derek Landes, Libby Trammell, Kaitlyn Onanian
Date: 12/2025
Sponsoring organization: Missouri Rural Health Association
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2025 Idaho Medical Education (UME) Plan
Outlines policy recommendations from the Idaho Undergraduate Medical Education Plan Working Group to address physician shortages across the state. Recommendations discuss existing and new partnerships, moving Idaho residents into and through the physician workforce pipeline, incentives for retention, and funding needs. Discusses rural throughout.
Date: 12/2025
Sponsoring organization: Idaho State Board of Education Undergraduate Medical Education Plan Working Group
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Outlines policy recommendations from the Idaho Undergraduate Medical Education Plan Working Group to address physician shortages across the state. Recommendations discuss existing and new partnerships, moving Idaho residents into and through the physician workforce pipeline, incentives for retention, and funding needs. Discusses rural throughout.
Date: 12/2025
Sponsoring organization: Idaho State Board of Education Undergraduate Medical Education Plan Working Group
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Access to Capital for Rural Hospitals
Policy brief discussing the importance of rural hospitals having access to capital funding. Discusses previous federal efforts to improve access to capital and common types of capital used for healthcare projects. Offers policy recommendations for improving rural hospitals' access to capital for facility improvements.
Author(s): Britton Herbert, Lauren LaPine-Ray, Mat Slaybaugh
Date: 12/2025
Sponsoring organization: National Rural Health Association
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Policy brief discussing the importance of rural hospitals having access to capital funding. Discusses previous federal efforts to improve access to capital and common types of capital used for healthcare projects. Offers policy recommendations for improving rural hospitals' access to capital for facility improvements.
Author(s): Britton Herbert, Lauren LaPine-Ray, Mat Slaybaugh
Date: 12/2025
Sponsoring organization: National Rural Health Association
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