| Read this in your browser February 12, 2026 What's New FORHP Rural Hospital Technical Assistance Finder. HRSA's Federal Office of Rural Health Policy (FORHP) provides hands-on support for rural hospitals and clinics, bringing national experts – in rural health care finance, clinical service, and operations – directly to rural communities to help them thrive. In 2026, 28 rural facilities across 16 states and one U.S. territory will receive this specialized technical assistance, through one of six FORHP-funded technical assistance programs. This includes two recently selected cohorts: - Facilities Selected for FORHP's Rural Healthcare Provider Transition Project. Five facilities have been selected to participate in the sixth cohort of FORHP's program that helps small rural hospitals prepare for value-based care: Newman Family Clinic in Oakdale, Louisiana; Susquehanna Family Clinic in Susquehanna, Pennsylvania; Pioneers Medical Center in Meeker, Colorado; Family Care Wellness Clinic in McMinnville, Tennessee; and Peaks Medical and Urgent Care in Dillon, Colorado. Participants will receive technical assistance provided by the FORHP-supported National Rural Health Resource Center to strengthen their foundation in key elements of quality, efficiency, patient experience and patient safety. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis; the National Rural Health Resource center is currently accepting applications for the next cohort, with selection expected in November.
- FORHP's Targeted Technical Assistance for Rural Hospitals Selects New Facilities. Also known as TTAP, the Targeted Technical Assistance Program is supported by FORHP funding and carried out by the Center for Public Health Practice and Research at Georgia Southern University. Selected participants are rural hospitals that will receive comprehensive technical assistance to address financial and operational challenges and maintain essential services for their communities. Facilities selected for the third cohort are: Cottage Hospital in Woodsville, New Hampshire; Pender Community Hospital in Pender, Nebraska; Scotland County Hospital in Memphis, Missouri; and Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation in Saipan, MP, a U.S. Territory of the Northern Mariana Islands. Applications are being accepted for the next TTAP cohort. For more information, write to ttap@georgiasouthern.edu.
New Year. New Tools. New Insights. HRSA's National Center for Health Workforce Analysis (NCHWA) has released three new data resources to support health workforce planning in 2026: Looking Ahead: FY 2026 FORHP Preview Webinar – Tuesday, February 17 at 3:00 pm Eastern. The Federal Office of Rural Health Policy continues to shape its programs to address rural health needs, while advancing evidence-informed approaches. To assist with your planning efforts, join us for a Preview Webinar as we highlight priorities for the upcoming year, planned funding opportunities, available resources, and collaboration opportunities for Fiscal Year 2026. Funding and Opportunities Veterans Affairs Health Professional Scholarship Program (HPSP) – February 27. Students enrolled full time in an accredited academic program for health professions related to Veterans Affairs may be eligible for tuition and fees paid directly to schools, plus a monthly stipend paid directly to scholarship recipients. Policy Updates Send questions to ruralpolicy@hrsa.gov. Additional Guidance Regarding Medicaid State Directed Payments. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released new guidance related to Medicaid State Directed Payments (SDPs). SDPs are a mechanism for states to direct Medicaid managed care plan expenditures in connection with implementing delivery systems and provider payment initiatives. Section 71116 of Public Law 119-21 directs CMS to reduce payment limits for SDPs covering inpatient and outpatient hospital services, nursing facility services, and certain practitioner services at academic medical centers, and it permits a temporary grandfathering period for certain SDPs. The letter discusses the grandfathering provisions, including those involving rural hospitals. This new letter rescinds and replaces the September 9, 2025 guidance, and CMS notes that this guidance is preliminary. Final policies will be established through future notice and comment rulemaking. Growth in Rural Provider Participation in Medicare Shared Savings Program. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released its annual Shared Savings Fast Facts showing that over 500 Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) are participating in the Shared Savings Program as of January 1, 2026. ACOs are groups of doctors, hospitals, and other health care providers who collaborate to give coordinated high-quality care to people with Medicare, focusing on delivering the right care at the right time, while avoiding unnecessary services and medical errors. The number of rural providers participating in ACOs has grown to more than 3,000 Rural Health Clinics and nearly 600 Critical Access Hospitals. Pledges from Tech Companies to Support Medicaid Community Engagement Requirements. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released a list of companies that have pledged their intent to help states prepare for and implement Medicaid community engagement requirements. These requirements were enacted under Section 71119 of Public Law 119-21 and require states to establish community engagement rules for certain adults in the Medicaid expansion group, that is adults with incomes up to 138% of the Federal Poverty Level who are not pregnant, not enrolled in Medicare, and not otherwise eligible for Medicaid. To qualify for and maintain Medicaid coverage, these individuals must engage in activities such as working, attending school, doing community service, or participating in a work program. The companies identified in this announcement have made voluntary commitments, and their inclusion should not be interpreted as an endorsement by CMS. Comments Requested on the Proposed Rule for the Health Insurance Marketplaces – Comment by March 11. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the Proposed Benefit and Payment Parameters for 2027, which sets standards for the Health Insurance Exchange under the Affordable Care Act. The Health Insurance Exchange, also known as the Marketplace, is the service that helps people compare and buy health insurance plans and receive financial help to make coverage more affordable. The proposals cover payment rules, risk adjustment programs, and user fees for health insurance companies. It also addresses state-mandated benefits, penalties for insurers that do not follow the rules, and stronger oversight of agents, brokers, and online brokers. In addition, it proposes changes to the certification reviews for Essential Community Providers (ECPs)—health care providers who serve predominantly low-income, medically underserved individuals, including those in rural areas—and would reduce the minimum percentage of ECPs that issuers must contract with in each plan's service area from 35 percent to 20 percent. Telehealth and Virtual Care Extensions- Last week, the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Appropriations bill was passed that extends various telehealth and virtual care flexibilities. The Medicare telehealth flexibilities include expanded originating sites, geographic waivers, delay of the in-person visit requirement for mental health services, authorization of audio only services, and eligibility for certain providers have been extended through December 31, 2027. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released a Telehealth FAQ to address questions on these extensions. Events and Learning Opportunities NHSC Loan Repayment Programs Applicant Webinar – Wednesday, February 18 at 2:00 pm Eastern. HRSA's Bureau of Health Workforce will hold a 90-minute webinar to assist with your application. Clinicians who join the National Health Service Corps (NHSC) could receive up to $100,000 to pay off student loans for working at NHSC-approved sites. Rural Health Clinic (RHC) Billing 101 – Tuesday, February 24 at 2:00 pm Eastern. The National Association of Rural Health Clinics (NARHC) will host the free, FORHP-supported webinar with information for Rural Health Clinic (RHC) basic billing. This webinar will feature a subject matter expert. Additional time for Q&A will be provided. Advanced registration is required. Resources of the Week Rural Health Value Glossary of Value-Based Care Terms. This compilation of key terms with brief definitions will help readers understand the vocabulary and terminology used in value-based care and payment. Rural Health Value is a national initiative, funded by a cooperative agreement with the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy. Cybersecurity for Rural Healthcare Facilities. The Rural Health Information Hub updated their topic guide, outlining cybersecurity risks and sharing tools to strengthen resilience against cyberattacks. This resource includes case study examples and funding opportunities to support cybersecurity efforts. Connected Care for Older Adults: A Pilot Intervention Engaging Community Health Workers to Advance Age-Friendly Care in Rural Oregon. With support from the National Institutes of Health, researchers conducted a pilot study embedding community health workers into rural primary care teams to assist with implementation of the 4Ms of the Age-Friendly Health System: What Matters, Mentation, Medication, and Mobility. Approaching Deadlines CDC Drug-Free Communities Support Program – February 12 National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Grants for Arts Projects – February 12 Denali Commission Rural Transportation Match and Gap Funding Assistance Program – February 13 U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Supportive Services for Veteran Families – February 19 CMS, Treasury, and Labor Propose Changes to Health Plan Price Transparency – Comment by February 23 CMS Solicits Public Input on 2027 Medicare Advantage & Part D Advance Notice – Comment by February 25 Proposed Rule for HTI-5 Seeks to Reduce Criteria for Health IT Certification – Comment by February 27 Veterans Affairs Health Professional Scholarship Program (HPSP) – February 27 U.S. Department of Labor YouthBuild – March 2 Department of Justice (DOJ) Violence Against Women Training and Technical Assistance Initiative – March 3 NIH Network of the National Library of Medicine Consumer Health Information Specialization Training Award – March 3 HRSA Seeks Feedback on Maternity Care Health Professional Target Areas – Comment by March 5 Department of Labor (DOL) Veterans Employment and Training Services – March 6 HRSA Nurse Corps Loan Repayment Program – March 12 Institute of Museum and Library Sciences – Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program – March 13 AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP Competition – March 26 CMS Requests Feedback on Hospital Supply Chain Policy – Comment by March 30 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 Forecasted Opportunities HRSA Rural Communities Opioid Response Program (RCORP) - Planning – Estimated Post Date February 25 HRSA Rural Residency Planning and Development (RRPD) Program – Estimated Post Date March 16 HRSA Rural Communities Opioid Response Program (RCORP) – Impact – Estimated Post Date March 18 Ongoing Opportunities - Updated February 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 Guaranteed Loans for Small Business Small Business Administration Rural Initiative Pilot Program 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 | 
