Louisiana Rural Health Policy Forum

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) will discuss several major agency initiatives shaping the future of healthcare. The presentation will outline the new Hospital Price Transparency requirements taking effect in calendar year 2026 and walk through key compliance resources and the corrective action process. Attendees will also learn how CMS is driving a coordinated, industry-wide transition to electronic prior authorization to reduce delays, ease provider burden, and create a more patient-centered system; how CMS and FDA are jointly implementing the RAPID coverage pathway to align regulatory and coverage
processes earlier and accelerate Medicare beneficiaries’ access to life-changing Breakthrough medical devices; and how CMS is proposing modernized drug prior authorization reforms—including faster decision timeframes, expanded electronic workflows, and greater transparency—to ensure patients receive needed
medications more quickly and with less administrative burden.

Health policy has been a pressing topic with major reforms passed to Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act throughout the Trump Administration’s second term and the 119th Congress, and continues to ramp up as we approach mid-term elections. The Latest from Washington, DC. and the Impacts for RHCs session
will cover the latest health policy updates at the federal level pertaining to the Rural Health Clinic program and day-to-day operations. From regulatory to legislative updates, from recent Medicaid reforms to the latest on Medicare Advantage, this is a vitally important session for RHC attendees seeking the latest information and opportunities to be involved in federal advocacy.

This session offers a look at what is happening in Washington and across the states as the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) moves into implementation. It will highlight how RHTP is impacting Louisiana, alongside a broader national perspective on how states are deploying funds to strengthen rural health systems. Attendees will also receive timely updates on Congressional activity heading into the midterm elections. The session will close with key insights on emerging regulations and priorities coming from HHS and the Administration, and what they mean for rural stakeholders.

During this session, we will share more about CARE's priorities and strategies, hear about our rural participants' most pressing concerns, and invite new members to our coalition.

This presentation will provide an update on current telehealth policies and regulations affecting rural healthcare providers. Attendees will learn about key state and federal telehealth legislation, recent advocacy efforts, and opportunities to get involved in supporting telehealth access and innovation in rural communities.

LRHA staff will present a summary of the organization’s 2025 state and federal advocacy activities to date, provide an overview of upcoming planned advocacy activities, explain how rural providers can engage in LRHA’s advocacy work, and provide information on how LRHA can support members in their own advocacy
activities. The session will close with a listening session for attendees to share their highest needs and greatest concerns to inform LRHA’s future advocacy work and priorities.