News
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Act Now to Ensure that RHCs are Not Left Out of the Rural Health Transformation Program
9/2/2025
Mo Sullivan, Government Affairs Associate, NARHC
While Congress has just injected $50 billion into rural healthcare, no one is exactly sure how this money will actually be spent over the next five years. The legislative text of H.R.1 created the “Rural Health Transformation Program,” but it is quite open-ended and as such, almost every entity in healthcare is interested in receiving this funding to help be part of the ‘transformation.’
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Summary of CY26 CMS Proposed Rules for RHCs
Further Modifications to Care Management Billing Opportunities and More
8/25/2025
Sarah Hohman, Director of Government Affairs, NARHC
This summer, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued the CY 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) Proposed Rule. While this year’s 1,803 page rule contains fewer Rural Health Clinic (RHC) specific policy proposals than the past few years, we encourage you to read this summary for important updates on care management billing reforms, telehealth, and more.
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Support Rural Health Clinic Regulatory Reduction Bills this Congress
8/21/2025
Sarah Hohman, Director of Government Affairs, NARHC
Rural Health Clinic champions on Capitol Hill, Representative Tracey Mann (KS-01) and Representative Jill Tokuda (HI-02) are looking forward to introducing three important regulatory reduction bills when they return to D.C. this September.
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August Recess Opportunity – Host a Congressional Visit at Your RHC!
7/22/2025
Mo Sullivan, Government Affairs Associate, NARHC
In just a couple of weeks, Congress will be back in their home districts for August recess. This is a great opportunity to invite them to your RHCs!
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CMS Releases CY26 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule
7/15/2025
Sarah Hohman, Director of Government Affairs, NARHC
This afternoon, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released the 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) Proposed Rule.
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Rural Health Clinic Advocates Host Record-Setting Capitol Hill Day
7/14/2025
Mo Sullivan, Government Affairs Associate, NARHC
Policy Summit attendees met with over 130 Congressional offices to discuss various RHC policy priorities: fixing and extending Medicare telehealth flexibilities, addressing the disproportionately low reimbursements from Medicare Advantage contracts, reducing a plethora of regulatory burdens, protecting the Medicaid program from programmatic reforms that will result in immense coverage loss, and maintaining integral rural programs through appropriations.
NARHC Research and Education Foundation Launches Fall Scholarships
7/9/2025
NARHC Research & Education Foundation
What Trump's 'One Big Beautiful Bill' Means for Rural Health Clinics
7/8/2025
Sarah Hohman, Director of Government Affairs, NARHC
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Reconciliation Package Heads to President Trump’s Desk
7/3/2025
Sarah Hohman, Director of Government Affairs, NARHC
After a marathon few days of both moderates and conservative fiscal hawks in the House indicating concerns over Medicaid reforms and increased spending, respectively, the legislation ultimately passed by a vote of 218-214 with no changes from the Senate version passed earlier this week. Therefore, the “big, beautiful bill” will head to President Trump’s desk for his signing which will likely occur tomorrow.
House Introduces RHC Bill for RN Annual Wellness Visits (H.R.3878)
6/12/2025
Sarah Hohman, Director of Government Affairs, NARHC & Mo Sullivan, Government Affairs Associate, NARHC
NARHC is pleased to share news of the introduction of the Registered Nurses (RNs) for Rural Health Act (H.R.3878)! Representatives Ashley Hinson (IA-02) and Hillary Scholten (MI-03) introduced this bipartisan bill on June 10th, which would allow RNs at RHCs to conduct Annual Wellness Visits (AWVs) and receive reimbursement from Medicare.
The Latest In DC - Week of June 9
6/12/2025
Mo Sullivan, Government Affairs Associate, NARHC
Capitol Hill and the agencies have been quite busy lately! Please read the latest updates below and check out our Community Forum for future updates. In Case You Missed It Introduced this week, the Registered Nurses (RNs) for Rural Health Act (H.R.3878) would allow RNs at RHCs to conduct Annual Wellness Visits (AWVs) and receive reimbursement from Medicare. To learn more, read our article linked here. To urge your Representatives to cosponsor this bill, click here.
Rural Health Programs in Jeopardy - New HHS Budget Proposal Released
6/12/2025
Sarah Hohman, Director of Government Affairs, NARHC & Mo Sullivan, Government Affairs Associate, NARHC
Last week, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released additional details on its proposed FY2026 budget, particularly the planned restructuring that impacts many rural health programs and grants. While budgets proposed each year are key indicators of an Administration’s priorities, passing the government’s appropriations package each year is a responsibility of Congress.
House of Representatives Passes Massive Spending Bill with Major Medicare and Medicaid Reforms
5/22/2025
Sarah Hohman, Director of Government Affairs, NARHC & Mo Sullivan, Government Affairs Associate, NARHC
Early this morning, the House of Representatives narrowly passed a massive tax and spending bill by a vote of 215-214. The bill now advances to the Senate for a vote, where it requires only a simple majority to pass under the reconciliation process. Every House Democrat voted against the bill, along with Republican Representatives Warren Davidson of Ohio and Thomas Massie of Kentucky.
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Medicaid Proposals Released and Set for Mark-Up This Week
5/12/2025
Sarah Hohman, Director of Government Affairs, NARHC
Late Sunday night the Energy and Commerce Committee released their proposed bill text aiming to achieve their directive to find $880 billion worth of savings within their jurisdiction. Most notably in their purview of the Medicaid program, the proposal would: Cap provider taxes Institute work requirements for many adults Increase eligibility checks on Medicaid beneficiaries
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Make Your Voice Heard – Medicare Deregulation Request for Information
4/30/2025 3:00:00 PM
Sarah Hohman, Director of Government Affairs, NARHC
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently issued a Request for Information (RFI) seeking responses on possible changes to Medicare regulations. This follows the Trump Administration’s Executive Order “Unleashing Prosperity Through Deregulation.”
Latest RHC News from Washington, DC
Congressman Valadao Visits Sequoia Family Medical Center; House Passes Budget Resolution Teeing Up Medicaid Fight
4/14/2025
Mo Sullivan, Government Affairs Associate, NARHC
Last month, the Sequoia Family Medical Center (SFMC) welcomed Representative David Valadao to tour their RHC and meet with staff! During his visit, SFMC staff sat down with Rep. Valadao to discuss current RHC federal policy priorities and to highlight the essential care that RHCs provide to their communities.
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Medicare Advantage Reimbursement Remains Top Challenge for RHCs
3/24/2025
Mo Sullivan, Government Affairs Associate, NARHC
Medicare Advantage (MA) reimbursement and MA administrative challenges are the two largest concerns for Rural Health Clinics (RHCs), according to NARHC’s 2025 Policy Survey. In a troubling trend, this year's survey revealed that more than half of RHCs receive less reimbursement from MA plans than from Traditional Medicare.
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Medical Telehealth Flexibilities Extended Through September 30
3/20/2025
Mo Sullivan, Government Affairs Associate, NARHC
Just hours before a government shutdown was set to take effect last weekend, the Senate passed a seven-month Continuing Resolution (CR) on Friday evening (passed by the House earlier in the week), ensuring federal funding through the end of the fiscal year on September 30.
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Current Medicare Telehealth Flexibilities Set to Expire on March 31 Without Congressional Action
2/24/2025
Congress is once again quickly approaching a telehealth cliff. Without passing additional legislation, current medical Medicare telehealth flexibilities will expire on March 31.
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