Request for Public Comment on the Updated Criteria for Determining Maternity Care Health Professional Target Areas
Published Date: 2/3/2026
Notice
Summary
HRSA is updating how it picks areas that really need maternity care pros by dropping the Social Vulnerability Index and giving more points to how many moms need care and how far they must travel. This change affects communities with maternity care shortages and helps decide where to send health workers. If you’ve got thoughts, speak up by March 5, 2026—this could shape where money and help go next!
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.
SVI Removed; Points Reallocated to Shortage and Travel
HRSA is removing the Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) criterion (previously worth 0–2 points) from the maternity care target area (MCTA) score and is reallocating those two points: one point to the population-to-full-time-equivalent maternity care health professional ratio and one point to travel distance/time to the nearest accessible care. HRSA says there were over 7,600 MCTAs as of September 2025, the composite MCTA score range is 0–25, and redistributing the SVI points would raise average MCTA scores by 6.6% overall while about 200 MCTAs may see a score decrease (largely those designated for Medicaid-eligible populations and certain low-income migrant populations).
Change May Affect NHSC Loan Repayment Awards
HRSA primarily uses MCTA scores to help distribute National Health Service Corps (NHSC) loan repayment awards to eligible maternity care health professionals. HRSA notes providers can apply using either the primary care HPSA score or the MCTA score of their site, whichever is higher, so some providers in areas with lower MCTA scores after this change may instead rely on their primary care HPSA score.
Your PRIA Score
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this federal register document and every other regulation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-10017 — Privacy Act of 1974; System of Records
Starting May 19, 2026, the Health Resources and Services Administration is launching a new system to track medical and dental residents training at children’s hospitals and teaching health centers. This helps make sure hospitals get the right amount of funding without any double payments. Comments on the system can be sent until June 18, 2026, so everyone affected has a chance to weigh in!
2026-09804 — Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection: Public Comment Request; Information Collection Request Title: Data System for Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network, OMB No. 0906-0110-Revision
HRSA is updating the data collection system for the U.S. organ transplant network and wants your feedback by July 14, 2026. This update helps track how well hospitals and transplant centers follow rules, keep patients safe, and improve organ sharing. If you’re involved in organ donation or just care about saving lives, this affects you—no big costs, just smarter data work!
2026-09056 — Notice of Criteria for Determining Maternity Care Health Professional Target Areas
HRSA is updating how it decides which areas need more maternity care health professionals. They’re changing the scoring by removing one factor and shifting points to better measure local care availability and travel time. These new rules start August 15, 2026, helping moms-to-be get care where it’s needed most and guiding where money and resources go.
2026-08300 — Rural Hospital Provider Assistance Program
The Rural Hospital Provider Assistance Program is giving $25 million in 2026 to small rural hospitals with 50 or fewer beds and lower local wages to help keep their healthcare services running strong. Eligible hospitals must apply by July 1, 2026, through grants.gov to get their share of the funds. This new program aims to support rural communities by making sure their hospitals stay open and ready to care for patients.
2026-08307 — Agency Information Collection Activities: Submission to OMB for Review and Approval; Public Comment Request; Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program: Expenditures Reports, OMB No. 0915-0390-Revision
HRSA is updating the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program spending reports that grant recipients must submit. This change affects organizations funded under Parts A, B, C, and D, helping HRSA track how grant money is used for medical and support services. Public comments are open until May 29, 2026, and the update aims to keep reporting clear without adding extra costs or paperwork.
2026-08279 — National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program; List of Petitions Received
The National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program helps people who believe they were hurt by certain vaccines get money without a long court fight. The government just shared a list of new claims they received, so folks affected by vaccine injuries can see the latest updates. This keeps the process fair and transparent, with no changes to money or deadlines right now.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-02129 — Patient Safety Organizations: Voluntary Relinquishment for the VizientTM PSO
Vizient™ PSO has decided to give up its official status as a Patient Safety Organization, and the government has accepted this change as of January 7, 2026. This affects healthcare providers who rely on Vizient™ PSO for patient safety data and support. No money changes hands, but providers should check updated PSO listings to stay in the know.
Next: 2026-02132 — Holtec Decommissioning International, LLC, Holtec Palisades, LLC, and Holtec Big Rock Point, LLC; Big Rock Point; Consideration of Approval of Transfer of License and Conforming Amendment
Holtec wants to switch who officially owns the Big Rock Point nuclear site, moving the license from Holtec Palisades, LLC to Holtec Big Rock Point, LLC, while Holtec Decommissioning International stays in charge of running it. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is reviewing this change and asking the public to share their thoughts or request a hearing by late February or early March 2026. This move is mostly an ownership shuffle with no big money or timing changes announced yet.