- Weathering the Storm Together: Community Resiliency Hubs Hold the Promise of Local Self-Sufficiency and Supportive Mutual Aid
- Virginia Tech Researchers Bring Rural Families into the Nation's Largest Study of Early Brain and Child Development
- Expanding Access to Cancer Care for Rural Veterans
- VA: Veterans Rural Health Advisory Committee, Notice of Meeting
- Scaling Rural Wellness with Clever Collaboration
- Stroudwater Associates Enhances Rural Healthcare Dashboard with New Data to Support State Rural Transformation Grant Applications
- Harvest Season Is Here: Busy Times Call for Increased Focus on Safety and Health
- HHS Dispatches More Than 70 Public Health Service Officers to Strengthen Care in Tribal Communities
- Wisconsin Rural Hospitals Team up to Form Network
- CMS Launches Landmark $50 Billion Rural Health Transformation Program
- American Heart Association Provides Blood Pressure Kits at Southeast Arkansas Regional Libraries to Support Rural Health
- Broadening Access to Minimally Invasive Surgery Could Narrow Rural-Urban Health Gaps
- Instead of Selling, Some Rural Hospitals Band Together To Survive
- Help Line Gives Pediatricians Crucial Mental Health Information to Help Kids, Families
- Rural Health: A Strategic Opportunity for Governors
Research Brief Highlights Pennsylvania Population Estimates
The U.S. Census Bureau released estimates of the July 1, 2025 population at the municipal level. This release includes total population estimates for all municipalities in Pennsylvania.
Key Findings from the Report:
- 988 municipalities increased from 2020 to 2025. Among those with populations over 2,500, Lancaster township in Butler County (+36.1%) had the largest percentage increase.
- 1,540 municipalities decreased from 2020 to 2025. Among those with populations over 2,500, California borough in Washington County (-14.0%) had the largest percentage decrease.
For more information on municipal population change in Pennsylvania, read this month’s brief.
Coming Soon: CMS to Provide $50 Monthly Access to GLP-1 Medications for Medicare Beneficiaries
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced the upcoming launch of the “Medicare GLP-1 Bridge,” a time-limited demonstration project that will provide eligible Medicare Part D beneficiaries access to certain GLP-1 medications for $50 per month beginning July 1, 2026, through December 31, 2027. The initiative is designed to expand affordable access to innovative, evidence-based weight-loss treatments that may improve long-term health outcomes for seniors managing obesity and related conditions. CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz stated that the demonstration aims to make these medications more affordable and accessible for Medicare beneficiaries, while supporting healthier lifestyles and reducing barriers to care. CMS will continue working with providers, pharmacies, and manufacturers ahead of the program launch and encourages beneficiaries to speak with their health care providers to determine whether a GLP-1 medication is appropriate for their care needs. Additional program details are available on the CMS website.
CMS Press Release and Fact Sheet Summaries – find all press releases and fact sheets here: https://www.cms.gov/about-cms/contact/newsroom
HRSA Shares Oral Health Literacy Resources
The Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) has oral health literacy resources available on their website. These free materials are intended for health professionals, health educators, community health workers, and any other organizations working with patients. Topics include pregnancy and young children, oral health for adults, and oral health in connection with other health conditions.
New Chairside Guidelines Platform Launched for Dental Providers
Penn Dental Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania and the American Dental Association (ADA) shared a new platform to support providers in clinical decisions. The ADA Living Guideline platform aims to provide continuously updated, evidence-based guidance for providers to access chairside. The goal of the platform is to keep providers up to date and provide quick access to guidelines.
Advancing Health Equity in Uncertain Times
The Journal of Public Health Dentistry released a special issue intended to inspire readers to consider how they can continue to advance health equity during uncertain times. The special edition includes a collection of editorials, articles, and commentaries that focus on science, education, public health practice, workforce, and advocacy.
Free access has been granted for all readers.
Article Focuses on the 340B Bergman 2.0 Bill
The 340B Report announced the impending introduction of the “Bergman 2.0,” a bipartisan bill sponsored by Reps. Jack Bergman (R-MI) and Raul Ruiz (D-CA) “ which would expand the ban on a 340B rebate model to include rural hospitals and most grantees.
Read more: 340B Report
Behavioral Health Update from CMS
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced a comprehensive Behavioral Health Strategy grounded in five strategic pillars: mental health and wellness; substance use disorder prevention, treatment, and recovery; pain treatment and management; care efficiencies; and special populations.
HHS Launches MAHA Action Plan to Curb Psychiatric Overprescribing
On May 4, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced efforts to curb psychiatric overprescribing at a MAHA Institute summit on mental health and overmedicalization.
HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. laid out a new action plan to promote appropriate psychiatric prescribing and drive deprescribing when clinically indicated.
Click here to learn more.
RISE Student Loan Rule Finalized
On May 1, the Department of Education finalized the Reimagining and Improving Student Education (RISE) – Federal Student Loan Program regulations, aimed at lowering the cost of college and simplifying repayment.
The rule takes effect July 1, 2026.
Who Is Dropping Health Coverage?
Since the conclusion of the 2026 Open Enrollment period on January 31, an additional 45,000 individuals have terminated their health coverage through Pennie.
The most significant declines occurred among households with incomes between 150% and 200% of the Federal Poverty Level, equivalent to approximately $48,000 to $64,000 for a family of four. Enrollment losses were also disproportionately concentrated among consumers aged 55 to 64, who disenrolled at more than twice the rate of those aged 18 to 25.
National data indicates this pattern is consistent with trends observed across other states. With affordability cited as the primary concern in marketplace surveys, many consumers are shifting to lower-premium plans with substantially higher out-of-pocket costs or choosing to forgo coverage entirely. Additionally, recent changes to immigrant eligibility criteria and the expiration of Enhanced Premium Tax Credits have resulted in many individuals losing access to affordable options on both federal and state-based marketplaces.