NYSDA Publications

HRSA Issues Regulatory Update

Sep 24, 2026

United States Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)

HRSA Announces Major Investments to Support Rural Health, Telehealth, and Primary Care

This month, HRSA announced more than $100 million in major investments to strengthen rural health care, advance telehealth and innovative technologies, and improve dental care for children with neurodevelopmental disorders.  Highlights include:

 

  • $11 million to develop new physician residency programs in rural communities.
  • $25 million announced with Congressman Robert Aderholt in Alabama to help small rural hospitals maintain their workforce, sustain essential services, and strengthen access to care.
  • $19 million to advance telehealth and innovative technologies to support access to nutrition services and strengthen the rural health workforce.
  • $51 million announced with HHS Secretary Kennedy in San Diego, California, for HRSA-funded health centers to improve access to dental care for children with neurodevelopmental disorders.

Administrator Engels Connects with Grantees and Partners in Alabama and Indiana

Earlier this month, Administrator Engels joined Congressman Rudy Yakym in Indiana to visit HealthLinc, a federally qualified health center that HRSA recognized among the top 10% of community health centers nationwide.  He also met with nurses who are improving maternal and child health through the Goodwill of Michiana’s Nurse-Family Partnership program, which is supported by HRSA’s Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program.  He also joined Monty Burks, Director of the HHS Faith Center, for a roundtable discussion with faith leaders, health centers, and community partners for an important conversation about how to engage faith communities and health centers on supporting mental and behavioral health needs following severe weather in Northern Indiana.
In Alabama, Administrator Engels joined Congressman Dale Strong at HAPPI Health and Congressman Robert Aderholt at Capstone Health to celebrate HRSA New Access Points awards that will support new health center sites and expand access to care for communities across the state.

Register for HRSA Grand Rounds Continuing Education Series

Looking for a continuing education opportunity?  Join us on October 7 for the inaugural session of HRSA Grand Rounds, a virtual webinar series developed in collaboration with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)!  Earn 1.0 CME/CEU Credit* at no cost while learning about Screening and Treatment of Pediatric Depression and Anxiety.  Learn more here.

HRSA Accepting Nominations for Tribal Advisory Council

HRSA is accepting nominations from the Great Plains, Nashville, Oklahoma, and Phoenix areas to serve on the Tribal Advisory Council (TAC).  The nomination deadline is September 30, 2026.  The TAC consists of one delegate and one alternate delegate from each of the 12 Indian Health Service geographic areas.

HRSA In Focus

Healthy Start Celebrates 35 Years of Helping Mothers and Babies Thrive

Healthy babies begin with healthy mothers.  HRSA’s Healthy Start program works to improve health outcomes before, during, and after pregnancy and prevent infant mortality in 115 medically underserved communities across the U.S.  This month, the program celebrated its 35th anniversary at its All-Grantee Meeting in Washington, DC.  Eliza Heppner, Acting Associate Administrator of HRSA’s Maternal and Child Health Bureau, spoke at the meeting, highlighting how Healthy Start leaders and staff meet mothers and families’ needs for health care, connection, and community support.  Find Healthy Start projects near you using HRSA's Healthy Start Locator.

HRSA Celebrates HIV/AIDS Aging Awareness Day

This month, HRSA recognized National HIV/AIDS and Aging Awareness Day — a day that honors the growing number of people living with HIV who are 50 and older and celebrates how far HIV care and treatment have come in helping people age well.  To help even more people thrive as they age with HIV, explore trainings and resources at the newly launched HIV Resource Hub: https://hivresourcehub.org/

HRSA Staff Member Takes the Win at GovCIO Media & Research Health IT Summit

Congratulations to CAPT Heather Dimeris, Director of HRSA’s Office for the Advancement of Telehealth, on receiving the 2026 Health IT Innovation Champion Flywheel Award from GovCIO Media & Research!  The award recognizes CAPT Dimeris’ leadership in advancing telehealth and emerging technologies to improve access to quality health care, particularly in rural communities.