News
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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.
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.
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.
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.
Meet the 2025 Bill Finerfrock Health Policy Fellow!
2/7/2025
NARHC is thrilled to announce Liberty Pertiwi, MHA as the 2025 Bill Finerfrock Health Policy Fellow! Liberty serves as the Director of Primary Care Services – Linn County with Samaritan Health Services in Corvallis, Oregon with over a decade of experience serving in policy and healthcare administration roles.
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NARHC’s 2025 RHC Policy Survey is Live: Your Response is Critical for the Future of the RHC Program!
1/14/2025
As we transition to a new Congress and Administration, it is crucial for NARHC to prioritize advocacy efforts and policy changes that matter most to RHCs.
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Congress Passes Short Term Funding Package with 3 Month Telehealth Extension
12/23/2024
Sarah Hohman, Director of Government Affairs, NARHC
After a very tumultuous week here in Washington, D.C., on Saturday, Congress passed a short-term Continuing Resolution (CR), funding the federal government until March 14 and narrowly preventing a shutdown.
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Call to Action - Telehealth Extension in Jeopardy
12/19/2024
Sarah Hohman, Director of Government Affairs, NARHC
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Congress Proposes Fix to RHC Telehealth Policy in End of Year Funding Deal
12/18/2024
Sarah Hohman, Director of Government Affairs, NARHC
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CMS Issues Change Request to Allow Category II Codes to Be Submitted on RHC Claims in 2025
11/5/2024
NARHC has been engaging with CMS over the last year in an attempt to resolve the CPT Category II code issue for RHCs, including through a letter to the CMS Administrator. We are very pleased to report that CMS recently issued a CMS Change Request to allow Category II codes to be submitted on RHC claims beginning April 7, 2025.
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Rural Health Clinics Secure Major Regulatory Wins in Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Final Rule
11/4/2024
NARHC Washington, D.C.
On November 1, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued the CY 2025 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) Final Rule. NARHC is very pleased to report that the rule finalizes several Rural Health Clinic (RHC) specific policy proposals, as well as other provisions with positive implications for the RHC community
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2025 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Released!
11/1/2024
NARHC Washington DC
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) just issued the CY 2025 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) Final Rule.
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