- 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
CMS Expands Electronic Prior Authorization Initiative
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced the expansion of electronic prior authorization as part of its Health Tech Ecosystem initiative.
Building on efforts that began in January 2026, CMS is strengthening collaboration among health plans, providers, and certified electronic health record (EHR) vendors to streamline prior authorization for medical items and services. The expanded initiative brings together health systems, hospitals, physician practices, EHR vendors, and digital health developers—alongside payers—to enable end-to-end, consistent electronic prior authorization workflows across the healthcare system. Participants will also align with CMS Interoperability and Prior Authorization Final Rule requirements, focusing on closing workflow gaps and improving technical coordination across stakeholders.
Full implementation of electronic prior authorization infrastructure is expected by January 1, 2027.
New Medicare GLP-1 Bridge Demonstration to Begin
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that beginning July 1, 2026, eligible Medicare beneficiaries will have access to GLP-1 medications for $50 per month.
Eligible Medicare beneficiaries enrolled in Medicare Part D prescription drug plan will be able to access these medications through the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge Demonstration, which will run through December 31, 2027. The Medicare GLP-1 Bridge operates under the Secretary’s authority to test new approaches to care delivery under Medicare and is supported by CMS, including centralized processes for claims adjudication and payment to pharmacies. Part D sponsors will not bear financial risk for eligible GLP-1 drugs provided under the demonstration and will not be required to opt in for their enrollees to access these medications.
CMS will continue to work with stakeholders—including providers, pharmacies, and manufacturers—to support implementation and ensure all partners have all information prior to the demonstration’s launch.
Medicare Shared Savings Program ACO Application Toolkit Available
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released a toolkit with resources for Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) to apply for the upcoming cycle of the Medicare Shared Savings Program.
Applications will be accepted through the ACO Management System from June 9 through noon ET on June 23. For more information, visit the Application Types & Timeline webpage. Email questions to SharedSavingsProgram@cms.hhs.gov.
Application deadline is noon ET June 23, 2026.
Final Rule: Criteria for Determining Maternity Care Target Areas
The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) issued a final rule updating the criteria for determining Maternity Care Target Areas (MCTAs), which are geographic areas within Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs) experiencing shortages of maternity care professionals. The rule also includes responses to public comments received on the proposed rule.
Updated MCTA designations will be implemented beginning August 15, 2026.
New Brief Available on Group Prenatal Care in Rural Areas
This Issue Brief, developed by the FORHP-funded Rural Maternal Health Data Support and Analysis Program, describes how prenatal care can be delivered in a group setting in rural communities, drawing from the experiences of a Rural Maternity and Obstetrics Management Strategies (Rural MOMS) network in northern Minnesota. It also shares lessons learned from other group-oriented maternal health services provided by FORHP-funded networks.
Mental Health Awareness Month: National Maternal Mental Health Hotline
In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, HRSA is highlighting the importance of mental health among pregnant and postpartum women.
Research has shown that rural mothers experience higher rates of postpartum depression compared to urban mothers. The National Maternal Mental Health Hotline can be reached at 1-833-TLC-MAMA and offers free, confidential support 24/7 by call, text, and chat.
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.