| Read this in your browser August 28, 2025 What's New HRSA Awards Over $14 Million to Develop New Rural Residency Programs. This month, HRSA and the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy awarded Rural Residency Planning and Development (RRPD) grants to 19 organizations across 14 states to develop new, accredited rural physician residency programs, including rural track programs. These residency programs are then sustained long-term through viable and stable funding mechanisms, such as Medicare, Medicaid, and other public or private funding sources. The largest federal source of funding for graduate medical education, Medicare paid an estimated $21.2 billion in FY2023, primarily to hospitals. Training physicians in rural residency programs not only improves access to care in rural areas, but also increases the likelihood of graduates practicing in a rural community. The aim of this funding is to help rural communities address physician workforce shortages. To date, HRSA has made 103 RRPD program awards across 36 states and one territory to develop rural residencies. As of August 1, 2025, 62 RRPD program recipients have created new rural residency programs for a total of 752 approved residency positions. Fifty-two of these residency programs have enrolled more than 660 resident physicians to train in rural areas. Rural Health Value Updates Catalog of Value-Based Initiatives. The team at Rural Health Value recently released an annual update of the catalog that summarizes rural-relevant, value-based programs currently or recently implemented by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services – primarily by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and its Center for Medicare & Medicaid Innovation. The Rural Health Value team is funded by the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy. Funding and Opportunities HRSA NHSC Students to Service Loan Repayment Program – November 6. Full-time students in their final year of health professional education may be eligible to receive up to $120,000 in tax-free loan repayment through HRSA's National Health Service Corps (NHSC). Students to Service Loan Repayment awardees commit to three years of service in high-need rural, tribal, or urban communities. This year, HRSA's Bureau of Health Workforce (BHW) included a Maternity Care Target Area Supplemental Award that makes an additional $40,000 available for physicians specializing in obstetrics, gynecology, or family medicine physicians who regularly practice obstetrics, as well as certified nurse midwives. In 2024, the NHSC supported 6,700 primary care physicians practicing in rural communities. HRSA State Loan Repayment Program – January 12, 2026. Eligible state governments, Native American tribal governments, special government districts can apply for this funding. The purpose of this Federal program is to make grants to States, the District of Columbia, and U.S. Territories to assist them in operating their own educational loan repayment programs for primary care providers working in Health Professional Shortage Areas within their State. Policy Updates Send questions to ruralpolicy@hrsa.gov. HHS/CMS Seek Members for New Committee – Nominate by September 22. Last week, the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced they are forming a new committee of experts to make recommendations about how care is financed and delivered across Medicare, Medicaid, the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and the Health Insurance Marketplace. The 15 members of the committee will be Representative Members - appointed based on their ability to provide the point of view of an organization, group, or industry – and Special Government Employees, appointed based on years of experience as a technical advisor and able to provide independent expert advice. Individuals who possess a combination of practical and tactical experience with expertise in chronic disease prevention and management, federally administered health care financing, and delivery system reform are encouraged to apply. To nominate yourself or someone else, send an email to HAC@cms.hhs.gov by September 22. Approaching Deadlines CMS Proposed Rule for CY 2026 End Stage Renal Disease Prospective Payment System – Comment by August 29 CMS Rate Update for CY 2026 Home Health Prospective Payment System – Comment by August 29 HRSA's Tribal Advisory Council (TAC) Call for Nominations – August 29 340B Program Notice: Application Process for the 340B Rebate Model Pilot Program – Comment and/or apply by September 2 CMS Proposes New Mandatory Alternative Payment Model, the Ambulatory Specialty Model (ASM) – Comment by September 12 CMS Proposes Updates to Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Payments – Comment by September 12 CMS Proposes Updates to Medicare Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System – Comment by September 15 CMS Proposes Changes to the Medicare Hospital Cost Report – Comment by September 15 HHS/CMS Seek Members for New Healthcare Advisory Committee – Nominate by September 22 Targeted Technical Assistance Program for Rural Hospitals – September 30 Ongoing Opportunities - Updated August 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 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 Program 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 | 
