| Read this in your browser March 19, 2026 What's New Rural Emergency Hospitals: Progress, Resources, and Real-World Lessons. The Rural Emergency Hospital (REH) designation, created by Congress in 2020, is intended to preserve access to emergency and outpatient care in rural communities that may not be able to sustain a full hospital. Since the designation took effect in January 2023, 44 hospitals across the country are now operating as REHs. The Federal Office of Rural Health Policy (FORHP) funds a number of resources to support hospitals considering this transition including: HUD Research on Rural Housing. The Office of Policy Development and Research (PD&R) is a division within the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) that conducts research, data analysis, and program evaluations to inform housing policy. This report examines housing challenges that are unique to rural communities, such as affordability, the physical inadequacy of homes, homelessness, difficulty in aging in place, and disaster response and recovery. The report also describes federal, state, local, and private policy efforts to address these challenges, with details on three rural housing initiatives states have implemented to spur development and boost home ownership. ERS Updated Frontier and Remote (FAR) Area Codes. The Economic Research Service at the U.S. Department of Agriculture updated Frontier and Remote (FAR) areas using information from the 2020 Census. This geographic classification, which was created as a collaboration between USDA's Economic Research Service and the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy, are based on a combination of population size and travel time. There are four FAR levels, with Level 4 being the most remote. DOT's Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A): Prepare a Strong Application – Wednesday, March 25 at 11 am Eastern. The U.S. Department of Transportation's Office of EMS will hold this webinar via Zoom to share guidance about their FY26 SS4A funding. Half of last year's Safe Streets funding benefitted rural communities. Funding and Opportunities AmeriCorps VISTA Sponsoring Agency Request for Concept Papers – March 26. AmeriCorps VISTA is accepting concept papers from organizations – including nonprofits, native nations and native-led organizations, public and nonprofit schools, and state and local government agencies – that work to alleviate poverty in local communities. CDC Drug Free Communities (DFC) Support Program – NEW – April 14. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) expects to make 50 awards with total funding of more than $31 million. Eligible applicants are community-based coalitions addressing youth substance use that have not yet previously received a DFC grant. HRSA National Health Service Corps (NHSC) Scholarship Program – April 16. Students pursuing a career in primary health care can apply now through Thursday, April 16 at 7:30 p.m. ET. The scholarship includes tuition, fees, and a monthly stipend. In return, scholars commit to providing primary care health services in Health Professional Shortage Areas. Attend the NHSC Scholarship Program Application Assistance Webinar on March 26 from 2-3:30 p.m. ET to learn more. SAMHSA Implementing Zero Suicide in Health Systems – April 20. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) anticipates 31 awards with total funding of approximately $16 million. Research released in 2026 indicates that rural areas in the U.S. consistently face higher suicide mortality rates. Policy Updates Send questions to ruralpolicy@hrsa.gov. CMS Issues Guidance to Clarify Roles of Organ Procurement Organizations and Donor Hospitals Responsibilities. Last week, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a memorandum to state survey agency directors clarifying and reinforcing the roles and responsibilities of Organ Procurement Organizations (OPOs) and donor hospitals during the organ donation and procurement process. The guidance reaffirms that both the OPO and donor hospital must work under written agreements, identify and refer potential donors appropriately, and conduct family consent discussion with sensitive and without coercion or pressure, ensuring that medical care and family decision-making are respected. Through this guidance, CMS also affirmed that surveyors cite noncompliance when regulatory requirements aren't met, even if corrected later, to uphold respectful, compliant organ donation practice. The guidance is effective immediately. Hospital Price Transparency: Enforcement of 2026 Requirements Starts April 1. In the Calendar Year 2026 Medicare Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS) Final Rule, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) added new Hospital Price Transparency requirements and will begin enforcement on April 1. Hospitals must update the machine-readable file posted on their website to include new allowed amount data elements (median, 10th percentile, 90th percentile, and count), their organizational National Provider Identifier (NPI), and an attestation from a senior official confirming the information is accurate and complete. Hospitals that do not comply may receive warning notices, be required to submit corrective action plans, or face civil monetary penalties that may be publicly reported. CMS maintains tools and resources to help hospitals in meet machine-readable file requirements. MedPAC Releases March 2026 Report to Congress on Medicare Payment Policy. The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC), an independent congressional agency that advises Congress on Medicare policy, released its March 2026 Report to Congress on Medicare payment systems. The report assesses Medicare payment adequacy and access to care to inform recommendations for payment updates across provider settings, such as acute care hospitals, physicians and other health professionals, skilled nursing facilities, home health agencies, and hospice providers. It also includes analyses on specific topics, such as payments for rural emergency hospitals and the costs of ground ambulance services. MACPAC Releases March 2026 Report to Congress on Medicaid and CHIP. The Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission (MACPAC), a nonpartisan legislative branch agency that provides policy analysis and recommendations on Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), released its March 2026 Report to Congress. The report examines key Medicaid policy areas and presents findings and recommendations for Congress on program access, payment, and oversight. It includes a chapter on Medicaid payment policies to support home- and community-based services (HCBS) workforce, including in rural areas, as well as chapters on behavioral health, justice involved youth transitions to the community, and access to care for Medicaid-enrolled youth in foster care. CMS Releases List of Clinicians Required to Participate in the Ambulatory Specialty Model. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the list of clinicians that are required to participate in the mandatory Ambulatory Specialty Model (ASM) during the 2027 performance year. The ASM Model is for specialists who commonly treat people for heart failure and low back pain in an outpatient setting accross selected regions. The Ambulatory Specialty Model (ASM) Participants dataset contains information on clinicians that are required to participate in the ASM, including their names, National Provider Identifiers (NPI), their cohort, and the performance years for which they must meet ASM's requirements. Participants for the 2027 performance year must update their contact information using the ASM Participant Contact Information Form. Applications Available for State Medicaid Agencies and Part D Plans to Particpate in the BALANCE Model. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) released the Requests for Applications (RFAs) for State Medicaid Agencies and Part D Plans to participate in the BALANCE (Better Approaches to Lifestyle and Nutrition for Comprehensive hEalth) Model. The BALANCE Model aims to increase access to certain GLP-1 medications for weight loss and lifestyle interventions for Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries. State applications are due on July 31, 2026 and applications for Part D plans are due April 20, 2026 for participation in 2027. Resource of the Week Telehealth Resources. Telehealth.HHS.Gov, supported by HRSA's Office for the Advancement of Telehealth, has a number of tele-nutrition resources for patients and providers. Virtual nutrition care can help reduce chronic disease and obesity by overcoming barriers that are more prevalent in rural communities. Approaching Deadlines AmeriCorps VISTA Sponsoring Agencies - Request for Concept Papers – March 26 AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP Competition – March 26 CMS Requests Feedback on Hospital Supply Chain Policy – Comment by March 30 AmeriCorps State and National Grants – March 31 HRSA NHSC Loan Repayment – Three Programs – March 31 Now Available: Medicare Survey on Hospital Outpatient Drug Costs – Submit by March 31 USDA Rural Development: Economic Development Loan & Grants Programs – March 31 USDA Rural Development: Intermediary Relending Program – March 31 CDC Drug Free Communities (DFC) Support Program – NEW – April 14 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Wildfire Smoke Preparedness in Community Buildings – April 15 HRSA National Health Service Corps (NHSC) Scholarship Program – April 16 SAMHSA Implementing Zero Suicide in Health Systems – April 20 CDC Million Hearts Hypertension Control Challenge – April 30 NIH Native Collective Research Effort to Enhance Wellness (N CREW) Phase II – July 31 Forecasted Opportunities HRSA Rural Communities Opioid Response Program (RCORP) - Planning – Estimated Post Date March 26 HRSA Rural Communities Opioid Response Program (RCORP) – Impact – Estimated Post Date March 26 HRSA Rural Residency Planning and Development (RRPD) Program – Estimated Post Date March 31 HRSA Delta Rural Integrated Health Network Program – Estimated Post Date April 1 Ongoing Opportunities - Updated March 2026 Bold indicates HRSA- and/or FORHP-funded opportunities. Administration for Children & Families: Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency – Rural Emergency Medical Communications Demonstration Project Delta Region Community Health Systems Development Program General Services Administration: Federal Surplus Property Available for Public Use HRSA Needs Rural Reviewers for Grant Applications HRSA National Health Service Corps Medications for Opioid Use Disorder Training HRSA Look-Alike Initial Designation for the Health Center Program Indian Health Service/Department of Defense: Medical Supplies and Equipment for Tribes (Project TRANSAM) Licensure Portability: The Multi-Discipline Licensure Resource Project National Rural Health Resource Center: Rural Hospital Stabilization Program ProviderBridge: Mobilizing Health Care Workforce via Telehealth Rural Graduate Medical Education Planning and Development Small Business Administration Rural Businesses Small Business Administration Guaranteed Loans for Small Business Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration/Federal Emergency Management Agency/: Post-Disaster Crisis Counseling Assistance and Training Program Targeted Technical Assistance for Rural Hospitals Program USDA: National School Lunch Afterschool Snack Program USDA: Summer Food Service Program USDA/National Rural Health Association: Rural Hospital Technical Assistance USDA Rural Development: America's Healthy Food Financing Initiative USDA Rural Development: Circuit Rider Program – Technical Assistance for Rural Water Systems USDA Rural Development: Community Facilities Programs USDA Rural Development: Emergency Community Water Assistance Grants USDA Rural Development: Grants for Rural and Native Alaskan Villages USDA Rural Development: Intermediary Relending Program – Ongoing with deadlines every quarter USDA Rural Development: Multifamily Housing Loan Guarantees USDA Rural Development: Rural Business Investment Program USDA Rural Development: Rural Energy Savings Program USDA Rural Development: SEARCH – Special Evaluation Assistance for Rural Communities and Households (for Water/Waste Projects) USDA Rural Development: Telecommunications Infrastructure Loans and Loan Guarantees U.S. Department of Transportation: Rural Opportunities to Use Transportation for Economic Success (R.O.U.T.E.S) U.S. Environmental Protection Agency: Drinking Water State Revolving Fund U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs: Physical Therapy Telehealth Research Study for Older Veterans – Ongoing until October 2026 UVM Center on Rural Addiction Contingency Management Certificate Course | 
