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Rural Health Information Hub
Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
News by Topic: Infrastructure

Apr 23, 2024 - Announces $700 million in funding for tribal communities for water and sewage infrastructure as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Also announces a partnership between the Bureau of Reclamation and the Indian Health Service (IHS) as well as a partnership between the United States Public Health Services (USPHS) Commissioned Corps and IHS. The partnerships will address barriers in access to resources as well as public health workforce needs.
Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Apr 17, 2024 - Discusses the rise in mountain biking in rural areas, noting the impact on rural infrastructure, local economies, and emergency services. Highlights a health and wellness initiative in Navajo Nation.
Source: The Daily Yonder
Apr 10, 2024 - Notice of final rule from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) adopting a Report and Order amending existing rules and requirements governing the management and administration of the Universal Service Fund (USF) high-cost program. Changes will streamline processes, align timelines, and refine certain rules to more precisely address specific situations experienced by carriers. This rule is effective May 10, 2024, except for amendments to sections 36.4 (amendatory instruction 2), 54.205 (amendatory instruction 7), 54.313 (amendatory instruction 10), 54.314 (amendatory instruction 11), 54.316 (amendatory instruction 13), 54.903 (amendatory instruction 18), and 54.1306 (amendatory instruction 22), which are delayed indefinitely.
Source: Federal Register
Apr 4, 2024 - Notice of proposed rule from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) seeking comments on the practical and policy issues related to the implementation of regulations regarding covered cyber incident and ransom payment reporting requirements for covered entities, as required by the Cyber Incident Reporting for Critical Infrastructure Act of 2022 (CIRCIA). Includes rural references throughout and encourages comments regarding the impact of proposed requirements on small entities. Comments are due by June 3, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Mar 14, 2024 - Funding for rural Federally Qualified Health Centers in Tennessee and across the South has been awarded for installing solar panels and battery systems. The mini grid systems will allow the facilities to continue offering critical services during power outages.
Source: WPLN, NPR
Mar 12, 2024 - Announces $58 million in funding for tribal communities in Nevada, South Dakota, and Oklahoma. Funding will improve water infrastructure and high-speed internet.
Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture
Mar 2, 2024 - Highlights a rural California town introducing a shade equity master plan to address the dangers of extreme heat. Discusses rural specific issues such as limited infrastructure and unsafe homes that make heat burden unequally experienced. Notes the disparate impact felt by farmworkers in this agriculture-heavy region.
Source: AP News
Feb 26, 2024 - Notice from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Utilities Service (RUS) extending the application period for the Rural eConnectivity (ReConnect) Program for fiscal year 2024. RUS will begin to accept applications on March 22, 2024. Applications are due by May 21, 2024.
Source: Federal Register