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
2026-06188 — Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection: Public Comment Request; Information Collection Request Title: Black Lung Clinics Program Performance Measures, OMB No. 0915-0292-Revision
HRSA is updating how Black Lung Clinics report their yearly progress to make things clearer and easier for them. This affects clinics helping coal miners with lung disease, and HRSA wants your thoughts before finalizing the changes. Comments are due by June 1, 2026, and the update aims to keep the program effective without adding extra hassle or cost.
2026-05663 — Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection: Public Comment Request; Information Collection Request Title: 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. They want your thoughts on making reporting easier and clearer before sending the changes to the budget office. If you’re involved in rural health care, now’s the time to speak up by May 26, 2026—no extra costs, just better data!
2026-05253 — Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection: Public Comment Request; Information Collection Request Title: Delta States Rural Development Network Grant Program, OMB No. 0915-0386-Revision
HRSA is updating how it collects info from groups funded by the Delta States Rural Development Network Grant Program, which helps fight heart disease, diabetes, stroke, and obesity in rural Delta communities. They want your thoughts on the changes before sending them to the budget office. If you’re involved or interested, get your comments in by May 18, 2026—this helps make sure the program runs smoothly and shows real health improvements.
2026-05274 — Agency Information Collection Activities: Submission to OMB for Review and Approval; Public Comment Request; Countermeasures Injury Compensation Program-OMB No. 0915-0334-Revision
HRSA is updating the forms and questions for the Countermeasures Injury Compensation Program to make things easier and clearer for people filing claims. This affects anyone who might get injured by certain medical countermeasures, like vaccines or treatments during emergencies. The public can comment on these changes until April 17, 2026, and no new costs are expected.
2026-05133 — Agency Information Collection Activities: Submission to OMB for Review and Approval; Public Comment Request; Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program: Allocations Report Forms, OMB No. 0915-0318-Revision
HRSA is updating the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program report forms to make it easier for grant recipients to track and share how they use funds. This change helps reduce paperwork by using an electronic system that pre-fills data, saving time and effort. If you’re involved in this program, get ready to send your comments by April 16, 2026, as these updates keep the money flowing smoothly and on track.
2026-04900 — Agency Information Collection Activities: Submission to OMB for Review and Approval; Public Comment Request; The Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program Performance Measurement Information System
HRSA is asking for public feedback on their plan to keep tracking how well the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program is doing. This program helps families in all 56 states, tribes, and territories by supporting home visits that improve early childhood health. Comments are open until April 13, 2026, and the info collected helps make sure the program stays effective without costing extra money.
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.
Take It Personal
Get Your Personalized Policy View
Start a Free Government Policy Watch to see how policy affects your household, then upgrade to PRIA Full Coverage for year-round monitoring.
Already have an account? Sign in