SCROLL NEWS / DISCOVERY
Search headlines
Find the stories shaping the conversation.
Results for " rural " 1,296 found 🔀 AI-powered Shuffle
Governor Morrisey Announces $3.4M Rural Local Health Challenge Funding Opportunity
Governor Patrick Morrisey announced a $3.4 million for a statewide local health challenge funding opportunity to advance prevention-focused, community-based health initiatives through West Virginia’s continued participation in the federal Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP).
Mississippi rural health program least transparent in U.S.
Mississippi will get over $1 billion from the federal government for rural health care. State lawmakers say they don't know where that money is going.
Healthcare providers brace for Medicaid cuts. Are layoffs in rural NC next?
More than 250,000 North Carolinians could be kicked off Medicaid next year. The cuts have the potential to devastate local economies, particularly in rural areas, if hospitals and health clinics respond by conducting layoffs or shutting down entirely.
KDHE awards nearly $80M to health care organizations across Kansas
39 organizations across Kansas were awarded grants, as part of KDHE’s initiative to strengthen rural health care in the state.
Paul Renner launches 'rural values' tour
North Florida Republicans will get to meet the candidate in the coming days.
A Paralympian and ‘prairie populist’: How this Iowa Senate candidate is trying to spark a rural revival for Democrats
Theresa Weeks was making spaghetti when a Senate candidate came knocking on her door.
Trump’s $50B rural health bet meets a healthcare desert in North Carolina
As Martin County residents struggle without a hospital, a federal rural health fund may offer little relief.
Bassfield’s Beaver Creek Distillery named state’s Rural Small Business of the Year
Bassfield's Beaver Creek Distillery has been named the SBA's Rural Small Business of the Year in Mississippi.
Legislation would extend funding for rural Maine hospitals
The current test program is set to expire at the end of this year: “We have a very high reliance on public payers. And oftentimes, those payers don’t reimburse the hospitals that provide care even at the level that it costs hospitals to provide that care."
Ron DeSantis says Miami-Dade, Palm Beach should be more aggressive in slashing homestead taxes
Big cities would already be on the hook for rural areas with lower tax bases, but DeSantis thinks they can do even more.
ECU Health expands rural residency programs to address eastern NC doctor shortages
ECU Health Medical Center is expanding its rural residency training programs in an effort to strengthen the physician workforce across eastern North Carolina.Th
Rural Health Transformation: Insights from States
The Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) will provide $50 billion to states over the next five years to transform rural health care. States received award decisions in late 2025 and are moving fast, with funding deadlines and reporting requirements already on the horizon. This program is rolling out as rural areas face significant federal Medicaid cuts over the next decade. What does this mean for Congress? Join the Bipartisan … Continued
ECU Health Medical Center Graduate Medical Education Program expands rural residency tracks to strengthen physician workforce
New training tracks in Internal Medicine, General Surgery, Obstetrics-Gynecology and Pediatrics will increase access to care in rural communities
UNO Research Shows What Motivates Female Students to Pursue STEM Research Experiences
The study of urban and rural schools revealed the important role science fairs play in inspiring young learners.
Scotland Health’s home-based care program earns AHA Rural Hospital Excellence in Innovation Award recognition
Scotland Health at Home began with one goal: Connect patients to treatment, no matter where they were.
Health Care Industry Trend Watch: Week of May 25, 2026
Attention now shifts to how states will deploy and account for Rural Health Transformation Program funding.
Ben Butler raises $200K in 8 days for CD 9 run
He also announced endorsements from 4 Sheriffs and 10 rural County Commissioners.
Trump’s $50B Rural Health Bet Meets a Healthcare Desert in North Carolina
In Martin County, it can be 20 miles or more to the closest emergency room. Healthcare gaps there show the finite reach of a $50 billion rural health fund.
Healthcare bills spurred by $50B federal program await Alaska Gov. Dunleavy’s signature
State lawmakers passed two bills on the last day of the legislative session aimed at fulfilling requirements of the federal Rural Health Transformation Program.
Kiva Oregon Raises Funds to Keep Zero-Interest Rural Business Loans Flowing
Rural-focused lending hub has deployed more than $600,000 in zero-interest, zero-fee loans to Oregon small business owners.
Governors’ Policy Actions on Behavioral Health Access
(Download) Behavioral health workforce shortages remain a significant barrier to accessing care in rural areas across the United States. According to the Health Resources and Services Administration’s (HRSA) State of the Behavioral Health Workforce, (2025) substantial shortages are projected for many occupations in the behavioral health workforce over the next 15 years, including psychologists, psychiatrists, […]
Rural health care infrastructure: Trends and considerations for the future
America's Rural Future symposium explores the challenges and policy shifts reshaping rural health care infrastructure, and what communities, states, and policymakers must consider to build lasting, locally responsive systems.
Feds greenlight Wyoming’s plan to spend $205M on healthcare initiatives
CMS approved Wyoming’s Year 1 plan to spend $205 million from the Rural Health Transformation Program to support rural hospitals, build workforce and bolster preventive health.
Get Real With SOMD Politics: J.W. Abney Talks Taxes, Housing, Education And Keeping Southern Maryland’s Identity
ST. MARY’S COUNTY, Md. — Republican candidate J.W. Abney says rising costs, housing shortages and preserving Southern Maryland’s rural character are among the top issues driving his campaign for Maryland House of Delegates District 29C, according to a recent appearance on The BayNet’s podcast “Get Real With Southern Maryland Politics” hosted by Chris Hill. Abney, […]
VA hasn't budged on reduced veteran home health rates in New Mexico, rural Texas
The next steps in reversing the rate cuts will be legislation and, if necessary, litigation, advocates said.
How $200 million will be doled out to Wyoming health care providers
The federal Rural Health Transformation Program funds come after months of negotiations, which led Wyoming to drop a planned investment fund. Instead, the state will focus on basic care.
SGMC Health Lanier Joins Statewide KidsABC Pediatric Health Initiative
SGMC Health Lanier announces its participation in the Kids Alliance for Better Care (KidsABC), a statewide rural pediatric health initiative
How states can incentivize local investing to find new capital for businesses and housing
Geographic and corporate concentration in banking and retail is limiting entrepreneurship in many U.S. communities. Existing place-based policies help, but often fail to deliver scalable, tailored investment solutions broadly across rural and urban areas.
'We'll never know if he could have been saved.' The gaps in Trump's rural health fund
Republicans promise that $50 billion in new health funding will help rural America. But it's not expected to aid the years-long effort in North Carolina's Martin County to reopen its only hospital.
Governor Ivey Announces Six Alabama Rural Health Transformation Program Workshops Across State Next Week -
MONTGOMERY – Governor Kay Ivey on Thursday announced that the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) is hosting a series of six workshops across Alabama next week for interested parties to learn more about the new Alabama Rural … Continued
How Allie Clifton built a modern sports media blueprint
It’s 2,200 miles from Los Angeles to the small town of Van Wert, Ohio. And for Allie Clifton, her roots in the rural northwest corner of the Buckeye State are what have anchored her journey to national prominence as a basketball voice. “To be where I’m at now, I don’t take it lightly. I don’t…
Trade, politics and inflation impacting state and county seasonal tourism
Drops are steep; rural communities trying to draw people from closer to home.
Wyoming’s plan for $205M in Rural Health Transformation funds approved
The plan doesn’t include a perpetuity fund. It was meant to stretch out more than a billion federal dollars for decades to come. Instead, Wyoming will spend the funds this year on sustaining basic care.
Asia’s Maternal Health Story Is Changing — And Young People Are Asking Bigger Questions
From Tokyo to rural villages, maternal health in Asia is rapidly changing.
Virtual platform offers a valuable lifeline for rural primary care patients
An Indiana doctor built ChatRx, with e-prescribing built into its workflow, as an alternative to the long-drive, long-wait and high-cost alternative of in-person care delivery.
How UNC Pembroke is addressing a shortage of science and math teachers in rural NC
UNC Pembroke is partnering with five rural North Carolina school districts to address a shortage of science and math teachers.
How UNC Pembroke is addressing a shortage of science and math teachers in rural NC
UNC Pembroke is partnering with five rural North Carolina school districts to address a shortage of science and math teachers.
Trump says Iran war worth economic pain and these rural voters agree
Rural Trump supporters in Colorado say they will accept higher gas prices for Iran policy goals and to prevent Iranian nuclear threat.
North Dakota Rural Health Awards recipients named
Dr. Erika Stein of Northwood Deaconess Health Center and Shawnda Schroeder of the UND Department of Indigenous Health are among the awardees.
A North Carolina farmer is testing whether Democrats can still win rural America
In North Carolina, Jamie Ager is distancing himself from his national party to win a congressional seat.
With dwindling health care options, rural residents wonder what’s next from a new Mayo Clinic CEO
Southern Minnesota communities served by the world-famous medical system are waiting to see whether Mayo expands its rural offerings or continues closing and consolidating locations.
North Dakota launches initiative focused on suicide prevention support and training for rural healthcare providers | Health and Human Services North Dakota
North Dakota is launching a new rural healthcare suicide prevention initiative aimed at strengthening follow-up care and closing critical gaps after suicide risk is identified. The effort follows recommendations from the North Dakota Suicide Fatality Review Commission and supports the Zero Suicide framework across rural and tribal healthcare systems.The initiative will support rural and tribal healthcare providers in implementing standardized suicide risk screening, follow-up care after suicide attempts and improved referral pathways into mental health and behavioral healthcare services.
First Round Of Rural Health Transformation Funds Now Available - West Virginia Public Broadcasting
The state’s nearly $200 million award from the federal government for 2026 aims to strengthen rural health systems statewide.
How one rural health system is designing targeted AI pilots to ease care delivery pressures
Berkshire Health Systems CIO William Young says artificial intelligence must do more than impress people with new features. It has to save time, cut waste, and help a rural health system survive mounting financial and operational strain.
Q&A: Changing the basic conditions under which rural care is delivered
Dr. Hamad Husainy says America's rural providers are doing heroic work with outdated systems, fractured communication and too little support. Meaningful transformation is possible, he says, but will require more than new technology.
The State of Rural Hospitals in the U.S, 2012-2023
ASPE’s Office of Health Policy has developed an Issue Brief modeling the key determinants of rural hospital closure or conversion as well as an interactive Rural Hospital Dashboard to highlight key characteristics and trends among rural hospitals. The Issue Brief uses a Cox proportional hazards model to identify low occupancy rates, for-profit ownership and proximity to an urban county as key determinants of closure or conversion to outpatient only facilities.
UNMC, UNK celebrate opening of rural health education complex
Kearney facilities expand UNMC offerings in medicine, pharmacy, public health, nursing and allied health.
"Only in Nebraska": Kearney welcomes nation's largest rural health education complex
Cold Open SOT Dr. Gold “only in Nebraska, my friend. And and here we are today. And I mean that sincerely, because this has been tried in Kansas, in Iowa, it's
Nebraska universities open largest rural health teaching complex in Kearney
The University of Nebraska Medical Center and the University of Nebraska at Kearney formally celebrated the opening of the Douglas A. Kristensen Rural Health Ed
Governors’ Policy Actions in Rural Health Workforce
Rural Health Transformation Program Insights (Download) Governors play a critical role in shaping the health workforce, using levers such as budget proposals, executive authority, and cross-agency coordination to recruit, train, and regulate workers. States face workforce shortages, particularly in rural areas, which reduce access to healthcare, impact health outcomes and harm local economies. The Health […]
NC raids rural health fund for children’s hospital, setting up debate over future healthcare dollars
A new state budget deal to boost funding for a children’s hospital in Apex will siphon money from a rural health initiative that was supposed to build rural health centers, including in Wilson, but which has stalled for several years.
Rural Health Education Complex grand opening celebration set for Thursday
The ceremony will be followed by self-guided tours of the two buildings.
River Hills Community Health Center announces closure of Centerville clinic
River Hills Community Health Center announced Tuesday it will close its Centerville clinic this summer, the second rural Iowa clinic the organization has shut down in recent weeks.
Scientists discover a mysterious silicone pollutant that may be everywhere
Researchers have uncovered unexpectedly high levels of silicone-based pollutants called methylsiloxanes floating through the atmosphere across cities, rural regions, and even forests. Much of the pollution appears to come from vehicle emissions, likely linked to engine oil additives that survive combustion and escape into the air. Scientists say humans may inhale more of these compounds daily than other notorious pollutants like PFAS or microplastics.
AgriSafe Network Offers 'Total Farmer Health Tools' To Support Mental Well-Being
New resources and peer-to-peer support networks are available to help combat rising rates of anxiety and depression in rural America.
Clemson Rural Health announces temporary relocation of on-campus clinic
Clemson Rural Health’s Clemson Community Primary Care, home of the Joseph F. Sullivan Center, will be relocating during renovations to Edwards Hall.
Rural Ohio hospitals feel brunt of noncompete clauses as legislators eye ban
Noncompete clauses are older than the U.S. itself, but there are little federal or state guidelines.
The rural voice missing from the Nexstar debate
By Donald Valdez As a former state representative for District 62, in the southern part of the state, I spent years fighting to make sure the voices of rural Coloradans were heard in state decision-making. As a lifelong farmer, I know firsthand what comes with living in a rural community — and the unique needs […]
Native American businesses have diversified beyond casinos to become a rural economic force. Trump is cutting off a lifeline that goes beyond tribes
Tribal enterprises are a lifeline for rural America, but a crackdown on federal contracting initiatives might upend their business model.
Vendor Notebook: Health AI bolstered by collective approaches to quality
New collaborations aim to ensure rural healthcare organizations have access to artificial intelligence to address rate-limiting factors in care delivery while vendors seek advancements in reliability and AI controls.
Health care now a 'top issue' for the business community, Maine survey shows
Maine is “small enough yet big enough to set the example of how health care should be delivered in rural areas,” said Northern Light Health’s CEO.
Health care now a 'top issue' for the business community, Maine survey shows
Maine is “small enough yet big enough to set the example of how health care should be delivered in rural areas,” said Northern Light Health’s CEO.
Bright Minds Academy owners earn rural small business award
Bright Minds Academy in Hays co-Founders Andrea and Nick Felder with their National Small
Holy Cross event focuses on brain health with a rural emphasis
HOLY CROSS, Iowa — For a few hours Saturday morning, the population of Holy Cross likely doubled.
Washburn Rural seniors sign to play college sports
Washburn Rural seniors signed on the dotted line on Friday to play sports at the collegiate level.
Arkansas health leaders push to improve maternal, infant care access in rural areas
Many Arkansas families welcoming a new baby are also navigating long drives, limited resources and difficult access to care, particularly in rural parts of the
Holy Cross event focuses on brain health with a rural emphasis
HOLY CROSS, Iowa — For a few hours Saturday morning, the population of Holy Cross likely doubled.
To save rural health care, bring it out of the Dark Ages
In order to take full advantage of telemedicine, drones, alternative medical personnel and different payment systems, we need changes.
High school students get hands-on look at health care careers through UMA Medical Bootcamp - University of Maine at Augusta
Oxford County high school students learn about UMA’s health care programs during the second annual Medical Bootcamp, a hands-on career exploration event offered in partnership with Community Concepts through a Workforce Opportunities for Rural Communities grant. High school students from Oxford County explored the future of health care through UMA’s…
Alaska Legislature asks federal government for more flexibility on rural health funding
Legislators say restrictions on how and when Rural Health Transformation Program funding can be used present problems for Alaska.
House Passes 2026 Farm Bill with Rural Health Provisions - MHA | Michigan Health & Hospital Association
The U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 7567, the Farm, Food and National Security Act of 2026, on April 30, which includes several provisions supporting rural healthcare infrastructure, broadband expansion and behavioral health services. The legislation includes six provisions championed by the National Rural Health Association (NRHA), several of which…
Ohio rural healthcare access — an advanced solution?
A report from the Health Policy Institute of Ohio found that rural residents are 15% more likely to die before the age of 75. Allowing Advanced Practice Registered Nurses to operate more independently could be a solution to allow better access to care.
‘Beams of Light in a Dark World’: Rural Health Providers Care for Patients with Few Options
This story is part of a series on rural health in the United States and the organizations filling the gaps for patients. Part one of the series can be found here. Dr. Rose Gillin said she always wa…
Opinion - Bill Bishop: ‘Grievance politics’ thrives on chaos and confusion. That’s our system now
Columnist Chris Clayton noticed something odd in the Trump Administration’s budget for the Department of Agriculture. Since the USDA is the federal government’s primary contact with rural America, Clayton expected to see the word “rural” in the document. And it was there – 12 times in 92 pages. But there were other words that seemed...
SBDC client Mia Scott's Mt. Moriah Farms named Alabama's Rural-Owned Small Business of the Year by the SBA
A Wiregrass business with roots in family, agriculture and entrepreneurship has receiving statewide recognition.
Missouri tests medical drones to speed up rural care
A medical drone program in Missouri aims to speed up delivery of blood and lab samples, as rural patients face growing challenges accessing timely care.
Additional $20 million in federal rural health grants announced for North Dakota
North Dakota has announced more than $20 million worth of new grant opportunities under the federal Rural Health Transformation Program — including for workforce education, mental health services and to fill rural healthcare service gaps.
States Eye Aid To Prop Up Distressed Hospitals Amid Federal Medicaid Cuts
Hundreds of hospitals nationwide are bracing for Medicaid cuts as a result of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Some state lawmakers are eyeing loans and other forms of financial aid to distressed hospitals in rural and urban areas, as healthcare providers warn of cuts to critical services and scramble for funding.
Sanders opens applications for $209M Arkansas Rural Health Transformation funding
Sarah Huckabee Sanders on Monday announced the launch of the initial application process for $209 million in funding.
Rural lifeline or potential monopoly? MU Health Care plan would allow expansion even if competition shrinks
Proposed legislation would give MU Health Care broad freedom to expand across 25 mid-Missouri counties. Experts warn it may not be needed for rural hospital acquisitions and could harm competition.
In depth: A flood of rural healthcare money could reshape Idaho, and seep into higher ed
This story was originally posted on IdahoEdNews.org on April 30, 2026. POCATELLO — A $930 million flood of federal grants could address Idaho’s rural healthcare needs — shortages that stretch across its landscape and reach into nearly all professions. The money could also bolster programs that serve small towns and align with Idaho State University’s […]
Morrisey announces first $28.56 million in rural health transformation funding
Gov. Patrick Morrisey announced the first $28.56 million in Rural Health Transformation funding, now open for eligible groups to boost health outcomes, grow the rural healthcare workforce, and help more West Virginians return to work.
Michigan senate candidate defends her deleted posts after CNN report: ‘People are desperate for authenticity’
Michigan state Sen. Mallory McMorrow, a candidate in the state’s competitive Democratic senate primary, made the case for her “authenticity” while responding to criticism she’s facing after an investigation by CNN’s KFile revealed she deleted old social media posts criticizing the rural Midwest and praising California.
Rural youth show higher firearm exposure, suicide risk and mental health harms
Rural youth experience higher rates of firearm exposure, handgun-carrying and associated mental health risks, according to Rutgers researchers. Their study, published in Trauma, Violence, and Abuse, has ...
What a modest town hall explains about rural America’s political gap
Ten strangers — a mix of conservative and liberal — gathered for a discussion about the rural-urban divide. They came together on a surprising solution.
Hunnicutt, national wellness leader, joins North Dakota’s rural health transformation effort | Health and Human Services North Dakota
North Dakota Health and Human Services (HHS) today announced Dr. David Hunnicutt, as a Rural Health Transformation Program strategist. Hunnicutt brings more than two decades of nationally recognized leadership to this role, having served 20 years as CEO of WELCOA—one of the largest and most influential corporate health and wellness organizations in the U.S. As principal of his own consulting firm, he spent seven years partnering with Dakota Medical Foundation (DMF) and the Impact Institute to design and launch initiatives that elevate leaders across North Dakota and strengthen the state’s capacity for long-term community well-being.
Gov. Abbott, HHSC Announce $56 Million in Federal Funding for Rural Health Care Providers to Modernize Equipment, Infrastructure | Texas Health and Human Services
Gov. Abbott announced HHSC is making $56 million in federal funding available to rural health care providers. As part of the Rural Texas Strong plan, the grant opportunity will help health care providers update critical equipment and infrastructure.
Rice students bring health care to rural regions through new app
Three Rice University students spent their spring break piloting a mobile health platform designed to support community health workers in underserved regions, including Guatemala, Kenya and Colombia.
Her plan was to travel the world until she discovered rural Japan
Kira Bella, now 25, wasn't ready to leave Japan when her visa was expiring. She came up with an idea to secure a business manager visa.
States modernize PA practice laws to expand healthcare workforces
Kentucky, South Dakota and Iowa recently passed physician assistant practice and title modernization laws to quickly address rural healthcare shortages. But some doctors are raising patient safety concerns.
Clemson Rural Health receives $7.7M Maternal Care Access Grant to Improve Care of Mothers and Babies in South Carolina
Clemson Rural Health (CRH) received $7.7 million from the South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) to implement the Maternal Care Access Project
Reeves establishes Mississippi office for Rural Health Transformation Program funds
Gov. Tate Reeves has announced the creation of an office to manage federal funds for improving rural healthcare in Mississippi.
$6.4M boosts rural health training, expands MAHEC fellowships and launches WCU clinic
The University of North Carolina System is awarding more than $6.4 million for rural healthcare training programs across the state.
CEO of ECU Health urges House Ways and Means Committee to abandon "one size fits all" healthcare solutions
The leader of eastern North Carolina’s largest health system was in Washington this week, telling federal lawmakers that rural America is being left behind by current healthcare policies.
Lawmakers urged by AHA to support key health initiatives in FY 2027 appropriations bill
The AHA April 29 urged House and Senate appropriations committee leaders to fund health care programs that have been successful in improving access to care for patients and communities nationwide, as the committee begins drafting the fiscal year 2027 appropriations bills. The AHA encouraged Congress to support various programs focusing on the health care workforce, maternal and child health, rural health, disaster preparedness, medical research and behavioral health. Additionally, the AHA urged legislators to include specific bill language that would bar the use of funds for the implementation of a 340B Rebate Model Program at the Department of Health and Human Services.
Mississippi Launches Rural Health Transformation Program Office and Website
Governor Tate Reeves today announced the establishment of the Mississippi Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) Office and launch of the official Mississippi RHTP website.
UNC System awards over $6.4 million to expand rural health care training programs across North Carolina
The UNC System has awarded over $6.4 million in state-funded grants to help its universities, North Carolina Area Health Education Centers, and rural hospitals expand and establish new rural health care workforce training programs.
‘Make me miss California’: In deleted tweets, Senate candidate Mallory McMorrow disparaged Middle America
As Democrats brace for a bruising primary in Michigan’s US Senate race, Mallory McMorrow, one of the party’s top contenders, has quietly deleted thousands of old tweets — including posts in which she took jabs at the rural Midwest, lamented ever leaving California, and said she continued to vote there after she said she’d moved permanently to Michigan.
Takeaways from the latest California governor’s debate
Eight candidates seeking to become California’s next governor met for an unwieldy debate Tuesday, where the candidates discussed their plans to make the state more affordable and sought to gain ground in an unsettled field. Xavier Becerra emphasized his past jobs as HHS secretary and California attorney general. But he also put aside a nice guy reputation with a few shots at his opponents. San Joe Mayor Matt Mahan pushed back on California’s gas tax, calling it regressive and arguing that rural and working-class Californians pay more to protect the roads than “wealthy EV owners.” And he said everyone else on stage had healthcare wrong.
From sick care to health care: one way rural health funding could change Alaska
A coalition of providers in Alaska is prioritizing preventative and whole-person care while federal funding for the state incentivizes more programs like it.