Read this in your browser July 23, 2026What's NewUSDA Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network – Apply by August 10. The National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) offers grants to carry out programs to assist with stress and challenges to mental health. NIFA will make four awards to regional centers that form the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network connecting individuals in agriculture-related industries – farming, ranching, forestry, timber, and fishing – to assistance programs and resources. Regional centers must have the capacity to make state-level sub-awards, including monitoring the performance of specific projects. NIFA is also seeking applications from qualified entities to administer the National Farmer Distress Helpline. RMOMS 2021 Cohort Report Highlights Progress in Expanding Rural Maternal Health Care. The Rural Maternity and Obstetrics Management Strategies (RMOMS) 2021 Cohort Final Report summarizes the results of three rural maternal health networks funded by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), Federal Office of Rural Health Policy (FORHP) from September 2021 through August 2025. The report describes how networks in Minnesota, Missouri, and West Virginia expanded access to maternity care through telehealth, remote patient monitoring, patient navigation, group prenatal care, doula services, and other innovative strategies designed to address provider shortages and transportation barriers in rural communities. The networks served more than 8,600 women during the implementation period and reported improvements in first-trimester prenatal care, postpartum visit utilization, and infant health outcomes while establishing network models of care intended to continue after federal funding ends. The report also identifies strategies used by RMOMS networks that may help inform efforts to improve maternal and infant health in rural areas. Visit ruralmaternaldata.org for more resources from the RMOMS program. ICYMI: Rural Hospital Financial Performance: Tools for Data-Driven Decision Making. In case you missed it, the Rural Health Information Hub posted a recording of a useful webinar that took place on Tuesday of this week. Experts from the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy, the Office for Planning and Evaluation at the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS), and from the North Carolina Rural Health Research Center gave an overview of HHS’s Rural Hospital Financial Performance Dashboard, a new tool intended to provide information about the financial and operational characteristics of individual rural hospitals as well as characteristics of the community health around those hospitals.
Previously Announced FORHP FundingRural Health Network Advancement Program (RHNAP) – Apply by July 24. The RHNAP is a new program that supports existing Rural Health Networks expand and evolve their work to meet the growing needs of their rural member hospitals and clinics. Rural Hospital Provider Assistance (RHPA) Program – Apply by July 27. The RHPA Program provides direct financial assistance to eligible rural hospitals (does not include Critical Access Hospitals) facing structural payment disadvantages with the goal of maintaining essential health care services and preventing avoidable closures. Eligibility for this program is based on methodology outlined in a Federal Register Notice. Small Health Care Provider Quality Improvement Program – Apply by August 6. Small rural healthcare facilities improve quality improvement culture by building capacity to effectively collect and use clinical data while implementing evidence-based approaches to improve health care quality with a particular focus on improving chronic disease outcomes. You can view a recording of the technical assistance webinar. HRSA Delta States Rural Development Network Program – Apply by August 12. This FORHP program seeks to improve access to, coordination of, and quality of health care services and associated health outcomes with a focus on 1) diabetes, 2) cardiovascular disease, 3) obesity, 4) acute ischemic stroke, 5) chronic lower respiratory disease, 6) cancer, or 7) unintentional injury/substance use in rural communities within the service area of the Delta Regional Authority. Applicants must demonstrate experience serving, or capacity to serve, populations in rural areas within the eight Mississippi Delta Region States (Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, and Tennessee). For more information about this funding opportunity, you can listen to the pre-recorded webinar.
Funding and OpportunitiesCDC Rural Health Evaluation and Capacity Building Fellowship – September 25. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offers a one-year research opportunity to develop knowledge of strategic planning, implementation science, and evaluation approaches used in rural public health initiatives. The appointment is full-time at the CDC’s Office of Rural Health in Atlanta, Georgia. The program seeks individuals who have received a master's degree in the last five years in one of three disciplines:
- Communications and Graphics Design
- Life Health and Medical Sciences
- Social and Behavioral Sciences
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until 3:00 pm Eastern on September 25. Delta Region Innovative Readiness Training Medical Missions – September 30. This is an opportunity to host a U.S. Department of War readiness training mission to bring medical, dental, and optical care to rural communities in the Delta region. The goals of the program are to improve military readiness by providing trained military medical personnel with in-field emergency response training while providing quality, no-cost healthcare services to communities in need. Medical missions for this application cycle will take place over two weeks in the summer of 2028. Host cities must be located within the Delta Regional Authority service area, have a population of 50,000 or less, have a critical need for healthcare providers, and meet at least one of the following criteria:
- An unemployment rate above the national average over the last 24 months,
- Per capita income 80% or less than the national average,
- A special need caused by a natural disaster or other emergency.
Rural Health ResearchResearch in this section is located on the HRSA/FORHP-supported Rural Health Research Gateway. Sign up to receive alerts when new publications become available. Supporting Rural Older Adults in Home and Community-Based Settings: Perspectives from Area Agencies on Aging. Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) are state-designated public or private non-profit agencies that cover a specified region to provide and coordinate support services for older adults, people with disabilities, and caregivers. Services provided by AAAs include transportation, needs assessment and care planning, homemaking, case management, nutrition, personal care assistance, chore services, home modification and repair, older adult education and programming, and many other essential programs for older adults. This policy brief examines the needs of older adults living in rural communities who are homebound by sharing findings from a listening session of rural-serving AAAs. Expanding and Sustaining Rural Clinical Education: Perspectives from Health Professions Education Leaders. Rural clinical education, which consistently strengthens students' intention to pursue rural careers and increases the likelihood of long-term rural practice, can help address rural health care workforce shortages. This qualitative study explores strategies to sustain and expand rural clinical education, drawing on interviews with 21 rural clinical education leaders, conducted in early 2025, from organizations that support health professions education in rural and underserved communities. Rural vs. Urban Patterns of Dental Care Services and Outcomes Among Medicaid-Enrolled Children in Early Childhood. This brief reports rural vs. urban patterns of preventive services, restorative or surgical dental services, and incidence rates of dental caries in 2021 and 2022 among Medicaid-enrolled children ages 2 to 5. Rural Implications of Increased Medicare Beneficiary Enrollment in ACOs and MA Plans. This brief explores the interplay of Medicare Advantage (MA) enrollment and beneficiary attribution to Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Medicare Shared Savings Program (MSSP) Accountable Care Organizations (ACO). MA enrollees are not eligible for such ACO attribution, and both payment models are drawn from the same pool of Medicare beneficiaries. As the number of beneficiaries not participating in either is shrinking, it is important to understand how the growth (or shrinkage) in one model influences participation in the other.
Policy UpdatesSend questions to ruralpolicy@hrsa.gov. New Request for Information to Support Executive Order (EO) 14401, “Accelerating Medical Treatments for Serious Mental Illness” – Comment by August 13. On July 14, HRSA published a request for information (RFI) seeking feedback on training and care delivery models for the safe use of potential future Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved psychedelic drugs in outpatient settings, including health centers and Rural Health Clinics. CMS Proposes Updates to Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Payments for Calendar Year 2027 – Comment by September 14. This proposed rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), issued on July 14, 2026, seeks public comment on payment updates and policy changes to Medicare’s physician fee schedule payments and includes other proposals affecting Medicare beneficiaries. As required by statute, in 2026 CMS is implementing two separate conversion factors, one for participants of qualifying alternative payment models (APMs) and one for providers not participating. The proposed conversion factor for 2027 projects a decrease of –1.19% for APM providers, and a decrease of –1.68% for non-participant providers. Additionally, CMS is proposing to limit billing of remote patient monitoring services (RPMs) to clinical staff of a practice, no longer allowing billing for RPMs performed by third party contractors or vendors. CMS also proposes to change the office/outpatient evaluation and management (O/O E/M) visit complexity add-on code, HCPCS code G2211, to a modifier appended to E/M base codes that will increase the payment by 16%. CMS is proposing a second modifier code only available to participants in the Medicare Shared Savings Program (MSSP) and LEAD ACO model that will increase the value of the base E/M code by 32%, among other major changes to the Medicare Shared Savings Program. CMS is proposing major changes to how practice expenses are calculated, a reduction of payments to evaluation and management (E/M) services billed on the same day as a global procedure, and new codes for advanced care planning. The proposed rule also includes updates applicable to Rural Health Clinics (RHCs), including recognizing Diabetes Self-Management Training (DSMT) and Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) services as qualified preventive services that are covered and paid the all-inclusive rate (AIR) as stand-alone billable visits under the RHC benefit and extending mental health telehealth flexibilities through December 31, 2027, waiving the in-person visit requirements. CMS Issues Draft Guidance for 2028 Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program Effectuation – Comment by September 18. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) seeks comments on draft guidance describing how manufacturers will implement negotiated Maximum Fair Prices (MFPs) for Medicare Part B and Part D drugs beginning in 2028, including new operational requirements affecting hospitals, physicians, and other Part B providers. CMS will issue final guidance later this year setting forth CMS’s final policies on the issues discussed in this draft guidance. MedPAC Releases 2026 Medicare Data Book. The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC), an independent congressional advisory agency, released its July 2026 Data Book: Health Care Spending and the Medicare Program. This annual publication compiles the latest available data on national health care spending, Medicare enrollment, beneficiary demographics, supplemental coverage, Medicare Advantage, prescription drugs, post-acute care, physician services, hospitals, and other components of the Medicare program. It examines several key data points by urban/rural residence of the beneficiary.
Resource of the WeekFinding Evidence-Based Interventions for OUD and Pain. This interactive platform guides users through proven interventions, from chiropractic care and cognitive behavioral therapy for chronic pain to medications for opioid use disorder like buprenorphine, methadone, and naloxone. Each intervention module delivers practical insights, including potential barriers and facilitators for implementing the intervention, strategies to overcome the barriers, cost considerations, key health outcomes, and emerging research directions. The Evidence-Based Navigator Tool was designed by the HEAL Data2Action (HD2A) Research Adoption Support Center (RASC), a specialized support hub funded by the National Institutes of Health to improve the real-world application, scalability, and sustainability of evidence-based practices for opioid use disorder (OUD) and pain management. HEAL is the NIH Helping to End Addiction Long-Term initiative, a federally funded effort to speed scientific solutions to the national opioid public health crisis.
Approaching DeadlinesFEMA Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities Grants – July 23 Department of Labor Workforce Opportunity for Rural Communities (WORC) Round 7 – July 23 CMS Releases 2027 End-Stage Renal Disease Prospective Payment System Proposed Rule – Comment by August 24 FEMA Tribal Homeland Security Grant – July 24 HRSA Rural Health Network Advancement Program – July 24 DOJ Demonstration Program on Trauma-Informed, Victim Centered Training for Law Enforcement on Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, and Stalking (Abby Honold) Program – July 27 HRSA Rural Hospital Provider Assistance Program – July 27 SAMHSA Emergency Department Alternatives to Opioids – July 27 SAMHSA First Responders – Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act Grants – July 27 SAMHSA Garrett Lee Smith (GLS) Campus Suicide Prevention Grant Program – July 27 SAMHSA Mental Health Awareness Training Grants – July 27 SAMHSA Promoting the Integration of Primary and Behavioral Health Care: States – July 27 HRSA Scholarships for Disadvantage Students – July 28 ARC Appalachia READY Local Governments Training – July 31 NIH Native Collective Research Effort to Enhance Wellness (N CREW) Phase II – July 31 ACL Alzheimer's Disease Programs Initiative (ADPI) - State Programs for Dementia Specific Respite – August 3 ACL Dementia Capable Community Health Worker Programs – August 3 HUD Pathways to Removing Obstacles to Housing – August 3 DOJ Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Act Program – August 5 Department of Education Promise Neighborhoods Program – August 6 HRSA Small Health Care Provider Quality Improvement Program – August 6 ACF Child Abuse Prevention in Migrant and Tribal Communities – August 7 ACF Regional Partnership Grants – August 7 HUD Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program Community Selection – August 10 USDA Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network – August 10 SAMHSA Special Tribal Criminal Jurisdiction Grant Program – August 11 HRSA Delta States Rural Development Network Program – August 12 New Request for Information to Support Executive Order (EO) 14401, “Accelerating Medical Treatments for Serious Mental Illness” – Comment by August 13 Rural Healthcare Provider Transition Project – August 14 USDA Native Community Development Financial Institution Relending Demonstration Program – August 14 Final Rule: Criteria for Determining Maternity Care Health Professional Target Areas. – Effective August 15 CMS Issues Final Rule to Strengthen Oversight of Health Care Accrediting Organizations – Comment by August 17 CMS Proposes to Codify Policies under the Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program – Comment by August 17 Northern Border Regional Commission Catalyst Program – Required Letters of Intent August 18 CMS Releases 2027 End-Stage Renal Disease Prospective Payment System Proposed Rule – Comment by August 24 DOT Tribal Transit Competitive Program – August 25 CMS Seeks Input on the CY 2027 Medicare Hospital Outpatient Payment System Proposed Rule – Comment by August 31 Medicare Proposes Changes to Home Health Program – Comment by August 31 DOJ Office of Violence Against Women Grants to Indian Tribal Governments Program – September 1 DOJ Tribal Sexual Assault Services Program – September 1 CMS Proposes Updates to Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Payments for Calendar Year 2027 – Comment by September 14 NTIA Native Entities Grant Program – September 17 NTIA Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program – September 17 CMS Issues Draft Guidance for 2028 Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program Effectuation – Comment by September 18 CDC Rural Health Evaluation and Capacity Building Fellowship – September 25 Targeted Technical Assistance for Rural Hospitals Program – Deadline for Next Cohort September 30 USDA America’s Healthy Food Financing Initiative – September 30 USDA Rural Development: Intermediary Relending Program – September 30 USDA Rural Development: SEARCH – Special Evaluation Assistance for Rural Communities and Households (for Water/Waste Projects) – September 30 USDA Telecommunications Infrastrastructure Loans & Guarantees – September 30 USDA Tribal Colleges Research Grants Program – December 31
Forecasted OpportunitiesCMS Student Loan Repayment for Nursing Home Staff – Coming Soon
Ongoing OpportunitiesBold 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 NIH Intervention Research to Improve Native American Health (R01 and R34 Clinical Trials Optional) – October 21, 2026 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 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. Environmental Protection Agency: Real Water Technical Assistance (RealWaterTA) 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 |
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