Mountain West Insights

As we move into mid-2026, the regulatory environment for telehealth in the Rocky Mountains and Great Plains has shifted from a state of emergency reaction to a period of institutional stability. While federal extensions have provided a temporary window of transition, regional state legislatures are increasingly taking direct control over how virtual care is delivered, reimbursed, and licensed. 1. The Federal Regulatory Floor (2026–2027) Current federal law acts as the foundat

For healthcare providers in the Rocky Mountain West and Great Plains, the decision to deploy a "virtual-only" or "hybrid" model is no longer a matter of technical capability; it is a matter of strategic territory. As we move through 2026, the data from the first year of the $50 Billion Rural Health Transformation Program has made one thing clear: virtual tools are efficient for moving data, but hybrid models are superior for moving people toward recovery. The choice between t

In the wide-open spaces of the Rocky Mountains and the Great Plains, self-reliance is more than a trait ,it’s a way of life. But when it comes to bringing the next generation into the world, our "frontier" spirit is being tested. As of 2026, nearly 60% of rural counties across the U.S. lack hospital-based obstetric services. In states like North Dakota and South Dakota, that number climbs as high as 80%. At Waller Hall Research (WHR), we understand that a "maternity desert" i

In the Rocky Mountain West and the Great Plains, we take pride in our independence and the rugged beauty of the landscapes we call home. But for many Wyomingites and residents of our neighboring states, there is a "paradise paradox": the very isolation that provides our peace of mind also creates a desert for mental health and behavioral care. At Waller Hall Research (WHR) , we don’t just look at data; we listen to the people behind it. Our research shows that approximately 6

Running a rural clinic in the Great Plains or Rocky Mountains right now feels like walking a tightrope. You are facing a perfect storm. The proposed National Institutes of Health (NIH) restructuring threatens up to 40% in funding cuts for rural health initiatives, while the cost of maintaining specialized equipment and staffing across vast geographic distances continues to skyrocket. For years, the expectation was that Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) and rural clinics needed

As billions of dollars begin to flow through the federal Rural Health Transformation Program, healthcare providers across the Rocky Mountains and Great Plains are racing to modernize their systems. At the top of many priority lists is the expansion of digital health: telehealth platforms, mobile health clinics, and remote patient monitoring tools designed to bridge the vast geographic gaps that separate isolated patients from specialized care. But in the rush to buy software

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is undergoing its most significant transformation in decades, and for Wyoming’s public health agencies, the stakes are high. Starting in May 2025, a proposed restructuring aims to consolidate 27 institutes into just 15, potentially accompanied by a 40% reduction in overall funding. For rural health departments and research providers in the Mountain West, this isn't just a budget shift, it’s a total change in how we must prove our value.

Executive Summary The Situation: The federal government has authorized the resources via the RHTP. The funding is secured; the responsibility now shifts to the states to deploy it wisely. The Risk: In our region, resources are scarce, and distance is a factor. A vague contract doesn't just waste money; it wastes time we don't have. The Solution: This guide provides a standard operating procedure for drafting RFPs that hold vendors accountable to the realities of rural t