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.
Rural Health Care Leadership Conference News Coverage
The American Hospital Association’s 2022 Rural Health Care Leadership Conference, February 6-9, Phoenix, AZ, brings together top practitioners and thinkers to share strategies and resources for accelerating the shift to a more integrated and sustainable rural health system. We’ll examine the most significant operational, financial and environmental challenges including the post-pandemic impact on rural hospitals and their communities, and present innovative approaches that will enable you to transform your organization’s care delivery model and business practices.
Couldn’t attend AHA’s 2022 Rural Health Care Leadership Conference? No problem. Follow along here for updates, and follow along on social media using hashtag #AHARuralHealth for more.
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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.
by Wright L. Lassiter III, Chair, American Hospital Association
On this episode, I talk with Julie Yaroch, D.O., president of ProMedica Charles and Virginia Hickman Hospital in Adrian, Mich. Julie and I talk about the issues that rural hospitals face, including workforce shortages, increased costs of care, and an aging population.
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.
by Rick Pollack
Courage. Compassion. Workforce. Health equity. Heroes. Challenges. Innovation. Community partnerships. Leadership. Opportunities. These were some of the most common words we heard from attendees and speakers talking about our field at this week’s AHA Annual Membership Meeting in Washington, D.C.
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 need to improve maternal and child health equity in America while reducing access disparities has become a national focus. As policymakers and provider organizations continue to seek ways to reverse these trends, hospitals and health systems are stepping up with innovative efforts.
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 Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services yesterday removed the Accountable Care Organization Transformation Track from the Community Health Access and Rural Transformation Model.
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.
by Kristin Preihs, by Helena Bonfitto
The AHA and Department of Health and Human Services, by way of the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, have entered into a new grant to strengthen and reimagine the emergency management system for the nation’s health care and public health preparedness, response and recovery efforts to disasters and other emergencies.
As rural health care leaders from the AHA and other health care organizations convened at AHA’s Rural Health Care Leadership Conference this week, a robust discussion took place over the role hospi
by Sean Barry
As rural health care leaders from the AHA and other health care organizations convened at AHA’s Rural Health Care Leadership Conference this week, a robust discussion took place over the role hospital and health system trustees can play in building confidence in the COVID-19 vaccines in their rural communities. Read six insights from the conference in this blog.
At AHA’s Rural Health Care Leadership Conference, the association released its 2022 Rural Advocacy Agenda