Rural Advocacy and Policy

America’s rural hospitals are committed to serving their communities and ensuring local access to high-quality, affordable health care. The AHA is working to ensure federal policies and regulations are updated for 21st century innovation and care delivery, and new resources are invested in rural communities to protect access.

On this page, you can find our most up to date rural advocacy agenda, our rural report, the latest AHA regulatory advisories, comment letters, fact sheets and more.

Learn More About the Rural Advisory Groups

Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act: Provisions to Help Rural Hospitals

View and download the CARES Fact Sheet here:

2020 Rural Advocacy Agenda

View and download the 2020 Rural Advocacy Agenda here:

Advocacy Resources

Rural Report
Fact Sheets
Comment Letters
Regulatory Advisories

Additional Resources

AHA Rural Health Special Bulletin: Distribution of Funds to Rural Providers and Hospitals
AHA Special Bulletin: SBA Clarifies that Certain Public Hospitals are Eligible for Paycheck Protection Program
Rural Health Special Bulletin: Summary of CARES Act Provisions to Help Rural Hospitals; CMS to Host April 2 Call on Medicare Accelerated Payment Program
AHA, Health Organizations Express Support for the Accountable Care in Rural America Act (H.R. 5212)
S. 2648 the Rural ACO Improvement Act
AHA Comments on Rural and Underserved Communities Health Task Force Request for Information
AHA Comments on HRSA's Rural Access to Health Care Services Request for Information
Fact Sheet: Lower Health Care Costs Act (S.1895) Rural Impact
AHA Recommendations for FCC’s Connected Care Pilot Program
AHA Comments on CMS’s Request for Information on Reducing Administrative Burden
AHA Letter of Support for Bill that Would Provide Regulatory Relief to Small, Rural Hospitals

Rural issues