Rural Advocacy and Policy

Featured Resources 

2023 AHA Rural Hospital Advocacy Agenda
Rural hospitals and health systems are the lifeblood of their communities and are committed to ensuring local access to high-quality, affordable health care. At the same time, these hospitals are experiencing unprecedented challenges that jeopardize access and services. The AHA continues to work with Congress and the Administration to enact policies to support rural hospitals. We also are working to support a public policy environment that will protect access to care, advance innovation, and invest new resources in rural communities.

Rural Hospitals: Community Cornerstones Facing Perilous Threats to Care Infographic 
Millions of people living in rural areas depend on their community’s hospital as an important — and often the only — source of local care. Rural hospitals provide care close to home and serve as economic anchors in the areas they serve. But they face major challenges, and further federal support is needed to ensure access.

Special Bulletin: Rural Emergency Hospitals New Provider Type Effective Jan. 1
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released more information on how rural hospitals and critical access hospitals (CAHs) can apply for conversion to an REH.

Survey Brief: Drug Companies Reduce Patients’ Access to Care by Limiting 340B Community Pharmacies
The results of this survey add to the growing body of literature illustrating the harmful impacts that drug companies’ actions are having on 340B patients and providers.

Advocacy Resources

• Rural Report
• Fact Sheets
• Comment Letters
• Regulatory Advisories

Additional Resources

• Working with Congress 101
• A Guide to Working with Members of Congress
• AHA Political Action Committee