| Read this in your browser June 27, 2025 What's New Eight Hospitals Selected for First Cohort of Rural Hospital Stabilization Program. The program, which is supported by HRSA's Federal Office of Rural Health Policy and administered by the National Rural Health Resource Center (The Center), is a new federal initiative designed to provide in-depth technical assistance to rural hospitals, helping them develop or enhance health care services that meet community needs and keep care close to home. The selected hospitals will receive education and coaching from a Center-led team of experts, along with funding to support tools and innovation towards service line growth. The goal is to bolster patient volume, better align services with the needs of the community, and improve cash flow. HRSA Healthy Grants Workshop. Registration is still open for the virtual June, July, and August 2025 HRSA Healthy Grants Workshops. There is no cost to attend, and you can attend as many sessions as you like. See the Healthy Grants Workshops webpage for the schedule of upcoming workshops and an archive of past recordings. USDA and the National School Lunch Program. The Economic Research Service at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) breaks down the federal-state partnership that delivers meals to about 100,000 public and private not-for-profit schools. The report examines supply and demand in the last decade, the flow of funding, and challenges during and after the pandemic. Policy Updates Send questions to ruralpolicy@hrsa.gov. CMS Finalizes Updates to the ACA Marketplace. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the Marketplace Integrity and Affordability Final Rule, which intends to add safeguards to protect consumers from improper enrollments and changes to their health care coverage, as well as to establish standards that aim to ensure the integrity of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplaces. CMS Seeks Input on the Estimated Burden to Meet Emergency Preparedness Requirements – Comment by August 19. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is announcing an opportunity for the public to comment on CMS's intention to reinstate the information collection requirements established in the 2016 emergency preparedness rule. Specifically, CMS would like input on the burden for existing providers and suppliers to maintain their emergency preparedness requirements and for new providers to develop and implement the requirements. They also intend on adding Rural Emergency Hospitals to the list of facilities required to report. Medicare Care Management Billing Strategies. The Rural Health Information Hub hosted this free webinar to discuss billing codes that can support care coordination for Medicare beneficiaries. Experts discussed actionable steps for planning and implementation. The recording is now available on demand online. Understanding and Complying with Commingling Rules – RHC Edition – Thursday, July 17 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) compliance with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) commingling rules and shared space best practices. This webinar will feature a subject matter expert. Additional time for Q&A will be provided. Advanced registration is required. Approaching Deadlines USDA Rural Development: Economic Development Loan & Grants Programs – June 30 USDA Rural Development: Intermediary Relending Program – June 30 HRSA Faculty Loan Repayment Program – July 3 HRSA Substance Use Disorder Treatment and Recovery Loan Repayment Program – July 10 CMS Request for Information: Hospital Price Transparency Accuracy and Completeness – Comment by July 21 CMS Seeks Input on the Estimated Burden to Meet Emergency Preparedness Requirements – Comment by August 19 Ongoing Opportunities - Updated June 2025 Bold indicates HRSA- and/or FORHP-funded opportunities. Administration for Children & Families: Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency – Technical Assistance for Rural EMS Communications Delta Regional Authority: Community Infrastructure Fund 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/SAMHSA: Medications for Opioid Use Disorder Training HRSA Technical Assistance for Look-Alike Initial Designation for the Health Center Program Indian Health Service SOAR Health Training on Human Trafficking 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 Program USDA Rural Development: Economic Development Loans & Grants – Ongoing with deadlines every quarter 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 | 
