Federal List Updates Doctor Shortage Hotspots
Published Date: 7/1/2026
Notice
Summary
The government just updated the official list of places and groups that don’t have enough doctors, dentists, or mental health pros as of April 30, 2026. Some areas lost their shortage status after reviews, while others get more time to fix their numbers before a final decision by July 1, 2027. This helps make sure resources and money go where they’re needed most to improve healthcare access.
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Some HPSAs Will Be Withdrawn
The FRN notifies that HPSAs placed in a proposed-for-withdrawal status because of state primary care office (PCO) actions between October 16, 2024, and September 21, 2025, will be withdrawn. Losing HPSA designation can change eligibility for programs tied to HPSAs (for example, National Health Service Corps assignments or certain program priorities tied to designation).
Extra Time for Some Failing HPSAs
HPSAs that did not pass the National Shortage Designation Update conducted in September 2025 will be kept in a proposed-for-withdrawal status, and state PCOs are allowed additional time to review and update those designations. HRSA intends to address those HPSAs with a Federal Register notice on or before July 1, 2027.
Automatic HPSA Status for Tribes and Certain Clinics
All Indian tribes that meet the Indian Health Care Improvement Act definition (25 U.S.C. 1603) are automatically designated as population groups with primary medical care and dental HPSAs. Federally qualified health centers (FQHCs), FQHC Look-Alikes, and tribal and urban Indian clinics operating under the Indian Self-Determination and Education Act or the Indian Health Care Improvement Act are eligible for automatic facility HPSA designation under the Health Care Safety Net Amendments of 2002 and section 330 of the PHS Act.
Designation Gives Access to Federal Support
The notice reiterates that HPSA designation offers access to potential federal assistance: public or private nonprofit entities in HPSAs are eligible to apply for National Health Service Corps personnel assignment, clinical training sites in HPSAs may get priority for certain HRSA residency training grants, and some qualified providers in geographic HPSAs may be eligible for increased Medicare reimbursement. These benefits flow to entities and communities with HPSA designations.
Updated HPSA Lists Posted Online
HRSA published the complete lists of all primary medical care, mental health, and dental Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs) showing designated geographic areas, population groups, and facilities as of April 30, 2026. You can view the full lists on HRSA's Data Warehouse shortage area web page at https://data.hrsa.gov/topics/health-workforce/shortage-areas/frn.
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
2026-13250 — Modification of Living Organ Donation Reimbursement Program Eligibility Guidelines in Response To Honor Our Living Donors Act
The Living Organ Donation Reimbursement Program is changing the rules to help more organ donors get money back for their donation costs. Now, the recipient’s income won’t matter—only the donor’s household income and financial need will count. These changes, inspired by the new Honor Our Living Donors Act, kick in soon, and HRSA wants your thoughts by July 31, 2026!
2026-13221 — Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection: Public Comment Request; Information Collection Request Title: National Marrow Donor Program Patient Support Center Survey
The National Marrow Donor Program wants to hear from patients, caregivers, and families who used their Patient Support Center. They’re planning a quick online survey to see how well their services are working and are asking for public feedback on this plan by August 31, 2026. This helps make sure the support stays helpful without adding extra hassle or costs.
2026-13243 — Rural Health Innovation and Transformation Technical Assistance
The University of Iowa is getting an extra $150,000 from HRSA to help improve health care in rural areas by supporting new ways to pay for and deliver care. This funding runs from August 2026 to July 2027 and will help rural health providers tackle unique challenges with value-based care. It’s a boost to keep rural health innovation moving forward and make care better for folks living outside big cities.
2026-13065 — Agency Information Collection Activities: Submission to OMB for Review and Approval; Public Comment Request; Rural Health Care Coordination Program Performance Improvement Measures, OMB No. 0906-0024-Revision
HRSA is updating how it collects info from rural health programs that fight heart disease, cancer, stroke, and more. These changes make reporting easier and clearer for those running these programs. If you’re involved, you’ve got until July 29, 2026, to share your thoughts—no extra costs, just smoother paperwork!
2026-12788 — National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program; List of Petitions Received
The National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program just shared a list of new petitions from people claiming vaccine-related injuries. If you or a loved one got hurt by certain childhood vaccines, you might be part of this no-fault system that helps with compensation. The Court of Federal Claims reviews these cases, so keep an eye out if you’re thinking about filing or tracking a petition!
2026-12321 — Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection: Public Comment Request; Information Collection Request Title: Questionnaire and Data Collection Testing, Evaluation, and Research for the Health Resources and Services Administration, OMB No. 0915-0379-Revision
HRSA wants your thoughts on their plan to test and improve health questionnaires and surveys. This helps make sure their questions are clear and useful before they officially use them. If you have ideas or concerns, speak up by August 17, 2026—your feedback shapes better health data without costing extra money or time for most folks.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-13308 — Foreign-Trade Zone (FTZ) 230, Notification of Proposed Production Activity; Corning Optical Communications LLC; (Fiber Optic Cables); Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Corning Optical Communications in Winston-Salem wants to start making fiber optic cables using special imported materials that usually have a 6.7% tax. By doing this inside a Foreign-Trade Zone, they can save money on taxes and speed up production. People have until August 10, 2026, to share their thoughts on this plan.
Next: 2026-13311 — Center for Scientific Review; Notice of Closed Meetings
The Center for Scientific Review is holding several closed virtual meetings in late July 2026 to review grant applications and contract proposals. These meetings protect private info and trade secrets while deciding who gets funding. Researchers and organizations applying for grants or contracts should watch these dates closely, as funding decisions could impact their projects and budgets.