| Read this in your browser September 12, 2025 What's New USDA Updates Rural Definition Data for FORHP's Rural Health Grants Eligibility Analyzer. On September 11th, 2025, the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy (FORHP), located within the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), updated the Rural Health Grants Eligibility Analyzer to incorporate the latest Census Bureau data on rural areas. In August, the United States Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Services (USDA-ERS) published updated Rural-Urban Commuting Area (RUCA) codes and Road Ruggedness Scale (RRS) codes to reflect the latest Census Bureau data. FORHP uses this data to define rural areas so that organizations can apply for rural health grants at HRSA. Consistent with past census data updates, newly added rural areas will immediately go into effect and newly metro areas will be grandfathered for one year for the purposes of FORHP rural health grant applications. This data update will not disrupt or change any existing FORHP awards. FORHP's updates incorporate the latest from USDA and Census Bureau and do not reflect any changes to our methodology for identifying rural health areas. You can read more about FORHP's rural definition for its rural health grants here. More information about this rural eligibility update will be available in forthcoming FORHP rural health grant notices of funding opportunities. For rural definition questions, please e-mail RuralPolicy@hrsa.gov. Rural Health Value Profile: State Medicaid Program Integrates Social Services. Six rural hospitals are participating in ToRCH (Transformation of Rural Community Health), a new Missouri Medicaid program integrating healthcare and social services in rural areas with hospitals serving as community care hubs, working in partnership with primary care and behavioral health teams and community-based organizations. The program provides for a coordinated approach to tackling Health-Related Social Needs (HRSN) at a community level. This profile was developed by Rural Health Value is a national initiative, a cooperative agreement funded by a cooperative agreement from the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy. Funding and Opportunities EPA Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling Grants for Tribes and Intertribal Consortia – December 12. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) expects to make 20 awards with total funding of $20 million for environmentally sound management of municipal solid waste – such as plastics, paper, glass, etc. – among other eligible activities. Rural Health Research Research in this section is provided by the HRSA/FORHP-supported Rural Health Research Gateway. Sign up to receive alerts when new publications become available. Comparing Utilization of Home Health Care Between Traditional Medicare and Medicare Advantage by Rural-Urban Status. This report from the WWAMI Rural Health Research Center describes differences in home health care use between beneficiaries enrolled in Traditional Medicare (TM) and Medicare Advantage (MA), a publicly funded, privately managed option for Medicare beneficiaries, and by rural-urban status. New Research on Block Grants in Rural Communities. Researchers at the ETSU/NORC Rural Health Research Center examined five block grants across three federal agencies to identify opportunities to improve rural consideration. Reasons for Experiencing Delayed or Forgone Health Care Among Rural American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) and Rural Non-Hispanic White Individuals, 2022. This policy brief from the University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center examines access to care from the Indian Health Service, reasons AI/AN people delay or forego care, and how this differs between rural AI/AN and rural non-Hispanic white people. Policy Updates Send questions to ruralpolicy@hrsa.gov. New Guidance on How State Medicaid Programs Can Support Crisis Response Services. Last week, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) in partnership with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), released guidance for states and other stakeholders on effective practices in crisis services as well as the federal authorities under which states can finance crisis response services in Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). The guidance highlights effective strategies for crisis response services in rural and urban areas, describes specific Medicaid and CHIP authorities and flexibilities to support the full continuum of crisis services, and provides an overview of strategies for measuring and monitoring crisis response services. HHS Increases Enforcement Against Health Data Blocking. Last week, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced that they will increase resources dedicated to curbing the harmful practice of information blocking, whereby healthcare providers, health information technology (IT) developers of certified health IT, or health information exchanges (HIEs) engage in practices likely to interfere with the access, exchange, or use of electronic health information. HHS will take an active enforcement stance against health care entities that restrict patients' engagement in their care by blocking the access, exchange, and use of electronic health information. Health care providers who committed information blocking will face payment disincentives; developers of certified health IT and health information exchanges could face a civil monetary penalty of up to $1M per violation; and health IT developers of certified health IT could have certifications terminated. Approaching Deadlines 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 HRSA NHSC Students to Service Loan Repayment Program – November 6 HRSA State Loan Repayment Program – January 12, 2026 Ongoing Opportunities - Updated September 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 | 
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