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.
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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.
Join the AHA April 28 at 2 p.m. ET for a virtual discussion with rural hospital leaders and board members.
Join the AHA April 28 at 2 p.m. ET for a discussion with rural hospital leaders and board members.
The grants are the first awards from $475 million in emergency grants authorized by the American Rescue Plan Act.
Sens. Bob Casey, D-Pa., and Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, last week introduced a Senate companion to the Rural Hospital Support Act.
The Federal Communications Commission Friday adopted a notice proposing changes to the Rural Health Care Program, which provides funding to help rural health care providers expand telehealth services.
At the AHA Rural Health Care Leadership Conference, AHA held an open dialogue on strengthening emergency management systems, which will translate into case studies, action plans and compendiums for the field as part of a five-year partnership with the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response. Kristin Preihs, AHA’s director of clinical quality, grants & contracts, and Helena Bonfitto-Wolf, senior program manager for AHA’s Center for Health Innovation, outline key takeaways from the conference session in this new blog post.
Sky Lakes Medical Center in Klamath Falls, Ore., will receive the AHA’s 2021 Rural Hospital Leadership Award at the Rural Health Care Leadership Conference next week in Phoenix, AHA announced.
Rural health clinics, community-based organizations and others may apply through April 19 for a portion of $13 million in Health Resources and Services Administration funding to increase access to substance use disorder and other behavioral health care services in rural communities.
The Department of Health and Human Services began distributing $7.5 billion of the $8.5 billion in American Rescue Plan Act payments designated for providers who serve rural Medicaid, Children’s Health Insurance Program, and Medicare beneficiaries.
AHA’s 2022 Rural Health Care Leadership Conference offers “an unparalleled opportunity to learn and share with rural health leaders innovating at the forefront of change,” writes Michelle Hood, AHA executive vice president and chief operating officer.
Leaders at St. Patrick Hospital in Montana say as COVID-19 cases rose, the ages of patients were getting younger and younger.
In part 2 of this two-part series, Ruby Kirby, CEO of West Tennessee Healthcare Bolivar Hospital and West Tennessee Healthcare Camden Hospital, shares her insights on how rural hospitals and health systems can work with their communities to build confidence in the COVID-19 vaccine, including education, partnerships and addressing social determinants of health.
The AHA continues to advocate for rural hospitals and health systems on Capitol Hill and beyond, elevating the most pressing issues facing rural hospitals nationwide.
In part 1 of this two-part series, Ruby Kirby, CEO of West Tennessee Healthcare Bolivar Hospital and West Tennessee Healthcare Camden Hospital, shares her insights on how rural hospitals are working to eliminate health inequities and disparities in their communities, including tactics for healthier eating and exercise.