Rural Health News

The Rural Health Redesign Center has released a recording of its Jan. 18 webinar on the requirements and application process for eligible rural and critical access hospitals interested in converting to a Rural Emergency Hospital.

Joseph Perras, M.D., president and CEO of Mt. Ascutney Hospital and Health Center, Dartmouth Health (Vermont), will serve as 2023 chair of the AHA Rural Health Services Committee. Sean Fadale, president and CEO of Nathan Littauer Hospital and Nursing Home (New York), is chair-elect. Philip Pandolph, president and CEO, Meadville Medical Center (Pennsylvania), has transitioned to past-chair. Christina Freese Decker, president and CEO of Corewell Health (Michigan), will serve as liaison to the AHA Board of Trustees. 

Joseph Perras, M.D., president and CEO of Mt. Ascutney Hospital and Health Center, Dartmouth Health (Vermont), will serve as 2023 chair of the AHA Rural Health Services Committee. Sean Fadale, president and CEO of Nathan Littauer Hospital and Nursing Home (New York), is chair-elect. Philip Pandolph, president and CEO, Meadville Medical Center (Pennsylvania), has transitioned to past-chair. Christina Freese Decker, president and CEO of Corewell Health (Michigan), will serve as liaison to the AHA Board of Trustees.

Starting Jan. 1, 2023, Medicare will pay for Medicare-enrolled Rural Emergency Hospitals to deliver emergency hospital, observation and other services to Medicare patients on an outpatient basis.

The House later today is expected to pass a continuing resolution extending the current federal funding levels for health care and other programs through Dec. 23.

AHA Executive Vice President Michelle Hood previews the 2023 Rural Health Care Leadership Conference, Feb. 19-22 in San Antonio, designed to help rural health care leaders transform their organizations through a focus on value and innovation.

In recognition of National Rural Health Day Nov. 17, this last in a two-part series on rural behavioral health shares how a critical access hospital in Newland, N.C., obtained an unprecedented Medicare waiver to become a regional behavioral health hospital to expand inpatient capacity for psychiatric services in the community.

To honor today’s annual celebration of rural hospitals and health systems, AHA’s John Supplitt, senior director of rural health services, talks with Roxie Wells, M.D., president of Cape Fear Valley Hoke Hospital and a member of the AHA Board of Trustees, about rural hospitals’ resilience in the face of change.

In recognition of National Rural Health Day on Nov. 17, 2022, AHA today joined a Twitter chat on rural health literacy hosted by the Rural Health Information Hub and National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health.

In recognition of National Rural Health Day Nov. 17, AHA recently released a webinar recording exploring new rural health care partnership models developed by the Build Healthy Places Network to invest in community health.

In recognition of National Rural Health Day Nov. 17, this first in a two-part series on rural behavioral health examines how a health system in rural Colorado collaborated with mental health providers, first responders and others in its community to address a spike in suicides.

As an increasing number of rural hospitals have been forced to shut their doors for good, difficult choices face those that remain open. Get the read on the current landscape from Jeff Subler, president and CEO of Wayne HealthCare in Greenville, Ohio, which serves a rural and agricultural population of 50,000.

Public and private entities may apply through Jan. 6 for up to $100,000 each to plan and develop integrated health care networks to expand access to basic health care services, coordinate and improve care and outcomes, and advance health equity for rural underserved populations.

The House today voted 230-201 to pass a continuing resolution extending current federal funding levels for health care and other programs through Dec. 16. The Senate approved the measure yesterday. Current government funding expires at midnight tonight.

A new report from the AHA highlights the variety of causes that resulted in 136 rural hospital closures from 2010 to 2021, and a record 19 closures in 2020 alone. These include many longstanding pressures, such as low reimbursement, staffing shortages, low patient volume and regulatory barriers, as well as the continued financial challenges associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.

New AHA-supported legislation was introduced today by Reps. Carol Miller, R-W.Va., and Terri Sewell, D-Ala., to extend the Medicare-dependent hospital program and low-volume hospital adjustment, which both serve as critical lifelines for rural hospitals. The Assistance for Rural Community Hospitals (ARCH) Act would extend each for five years. In its letter of support to the sponsors of the ARCH Act, AHA highlighted rural hospitals’ important roles in the communities they serve and the bill’s ability to support these efforts.

AHA, in comments today to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, voiced support for the agency’s new rural emergency hospital designation, particularly its potential value in the area of maternal health. “It is undeniable that access to maternal and child care services is lacking in certain areas of the country, including many rural communities,” AHA wrote.

AHA's John Supplitt and Aisha Syeda joined the Rural Health Information Hub’s Exploring Rural Health podcast to discuss rural health care challenges and solutions.

HRSA yesterday released another $450 million in American Rescue Plan Act payments to rural health care providers.

AHA today launched a new suite of resources for rural health care leaders, including an on-demand webinar and playbook.