Category: HRSA

Save the Date for The Rural Impact, Monday, June 22

June 4, 2026

Save the Date for The Rural Impact, Monday, June 22

The National Association of Community Health Centers will hold an online panel discussion with leaders from rural hospitals and health centers from three states – New Hampshire, North Dakota, and Pennsylvania – discussing their collaborations for rural health.

Hear from panelists as they discuss their priorities for Rural Health Transformation funding as well as how they face shared challenges such as workforce, community engagement, and care models that close access gaps.

Cost: Free

When: Monday, June 22, 2:00 p.m. ET

Click Here to Register

Telehealth and Workforce Planning in Rural Health Transformation

June 4, 2026

Telehealth and Workforce Planning in Rural Health Transformation

Experts from the National Technology Center – Telehealth Technology Assessment Resource Center reviewed all 50 state plans for the Rural Health Transformation Program with a close look at technology-enabled care in rural settings.

A recording of that presentation, along with the transcript and slides are provided here by the HRSA-funded national Consortium of Telehealth Resource Center.

Click Here to View Presentation

Take the HRSA National Nursing Survey

May 27, 2026

Take the HRSA National Nursing Survey

Since 1977, the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) has sponsored this survey to assess supply and demand of the nursing workforce, evaluate the impact of state and federal programs for nursing, and understand current trends such as education, employment, income, and demographics.

The survey is carried out by the U.S. Census Bureau, using a random selection of all Registered Nurses in the country. If you receive the survey, know that all information is solely for statistical purposes; all personal information is removed from all forms and not included in any statistical release.

Click Here for Frequently Asked Questions

Click Here to Learn More

Forecasted Funding Opportunity: HRSA Telehealth Nutrition Services Network Grant Program, Estimated Post Date June 2

May 27, 2026

Forecasted Funding Opportunity: HRSA Telehealth Nutrition Services Network Grant Program, Estimated Post Date June 2

Funded through the Health Resources and Services Administration’s (HRSA’s) Office for the Advancement of Telehealth (OAT), this program will support telehealth networks using nutrition services to help prevent and manage chronic diseases.

Eligible applicants include:

  • State, local and tribal governments,
  • School districts and institutions of higher learning,
  • Nonprofit organizations, and
  • Small businesses

Click Here to Learn More

Federal Health Department (HHS) Reports on the State of Rural Hospitals

May 27, 2026

Federal Health Department (HHS) Reports on the State of Rural Hospitals

Policy researchers and analysts within the HHS office for planning and evaluation (ASPE) used a Cox proportional hazards model to identify low occupancy rates, for-profit ownership, and proximity to an urban county as key determinants of rural hospital closure or conversion to outpatient-only facilities. The brief is accompanied by a data dashboard that features an interactive map with comprehensive information on rural hospitals, both open and closed, spanning 2012 to 2023.

Consult the dashboard’s User Guide to understand how to filter data by year, hospital name, closure status, state, occupancy rate, ownership type, and system affiliation. The dashboard also includes hospital level information such as occupancy rates, number of beds, Medicare and Medicaid share of discharges, liability-to-asset ratios, and annual profit margins.

Click Here to Read Report

Click Here to Access dashboard User Guide

Click Here to Access Data Dashboard

Group Prenatal Care in Rural Areas

May 14, 2026

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.

Click Here to Read Issue Brief

Click Here to Read More About Rural MOMS Program

First Healthcare Advisory Committee (HAC) Meeting, Open to Public, May 18

May 14, 2026

First Healthcare Advisory Committee (HAC) Meeting, Open to Public, May 18

The Healthcare Advisory Committee (HAC) advises the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services and the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on programs and policies to improve the U.S. healthcare system.

This first meeting will include an introduction of Committee members, discussion of the Committee’s vision, and establishment of bylaws. A detailed final agenda is posted on the Committee’s website and will include Zoom webinar access information.

The meeting will be held virtually, and no registration is required for those who wish to watch or provide public comment.

Click Here to Visit the Committee’s website

Click Here to View the Agenda

Medicare Shared Savings Program ACO Application Toolkit Available, Apply by June 23

May 14, 2026

Medicare Shared Savings Program ACO Application Toolkit Available, Apply by June 23

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

CMS Expands Electronic Prior Authorization Initiative

May 14, 2026

CMS Expands Electronic Prior Authorization Initiative

This week, 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, 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.

Click Here to Read CMS Electronic Prior Authorization

Click Here to Read More About Health Tech Ecosystem

Mental Health Awareness Month: National Maternal Mental Health Hotline

May 14, 2026

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 post-partum 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.

Trained counselors provide emotional support, information, and referrals to local resources for pregnant and postpartum women, and their loved ones.

Since launching on Mother’s Day in 2022, the Hotline has supported more than 100,000 people, helping to connect them to care when they need it most.

Share this resource with your patients, clients, partners, and communities. You can also print and order free promotional materials including posters, magnets, and wallet cards to display and distribute.

See the HRSA Maternal & Child Health Website for more information and to access materials.

Click Here to go the HRSA’s Maternal & Child Health Website