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Policy & Research

The Office of Rural Health Policy (ORHP) has department-wide responsibility for analyzing the possible effects of policy on 62 million residents of rural communities. Created by Section 711 of the Social Security Act, ORHP advises the Secretary on health issues within these communities, including the effects of Medicare and Medicaid on rural citizens’ access to care, the viability of rural hospitals, and the availability of physicians and other health professionals. ORHP analyzes the effects of current policies and proposed statutory, regulatory, administrative, and budgetary changes on rural communities. Because many of the policy levers at the Federal level are related to the Medicare program, review and analysis of prospective changes to Medicare comprise much of the ORHP’s policy work. Significant time and attention also are devoted to other policy areas, including Medicaid, the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), workforce, quality, and health information technology (HIT). 

Technical Assistance and Resources

Rural Health Research Centers and Policy Analysis Initiatives

Rural Health Research Gateway

National Advisory Committee on Rural Health & Human Services 

ORHP Definition of Rural

CMS Medicare Rural Health Center

CMS Regional Office Rural Health Coordinators (PDF - 21 KB) 

CMS Medicare Learning Network

National Rural Health Association

National Association of Rural Health Clinics (NARHC)

Alaska Frontier Extended Stay Clinic Consortium

National Center for Frontier Communities

Rural Hospital Flexibility Program Monitoring Team

Location of Critical Access Hospitals

National Center for Rural Health Works