Rural Health Update

Rural Health Update / en Sun, 15 Jun 2025 04:44:34 -0500 Thu, 22 May 25 10:04:21 -0500 Rural Health Update May 16, 2025 <div class="container"><div class="row"><div class="col-md-8"><img src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/aha-logo-small-header.png" data-entity-uuid="0a3f954c-34fd-4faa-8f13-d31245d1d41f" data-entity-type="file" alt="Small AHA Logo Header" width="128" height="48" class="align-center"><img src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/rural-health-icon_1.jpg" data-entity-uuid="248e96f2-a7da-403f-835e-93ccca7b07d7" data-entity-type="file" alt="Rural Health Image" width="600" height="45" class="align-center"><h2 class="text-align-center">NEWS UPDATE</h2>May 16, 2025Your guide to the latest rural health news and resourcesThe following is a compilation of recent news from the AHA and the Rural Health Services team, whose focus is to ensure rural hospitals’ and health systems’ unique needs are national priorities.<img src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/image_9.png" data-entity-uuid="ccd6cbce-9947-4c0f-9732-6c6052160b3d" data-entity-type="file" alt="AHA Rural Advocacy Alliance Logo" width="571" height="84">&nbsp;AHA offers comments on House E&amp;C proposals related to Medicaid and House W&amp;M reconciliation provisionsThe House Energy and Commerce Committee May 13 advanced its portion of the fiscal year 2025 reconciliation bill. The committee has been instructed to reduce deficits by $880 billion, with significant Medicaid changes and cuts being considered.The AHA sent a detailed <a href="/system/files/media/file/2025/05/aha-house-statement-on-full-committee-markup-of-budget-reconciliation-text-testimony-5-13-2025.pdf">statement</a> to the E&amp;C Committee with comments on certain sections of the bill, including potential changes to policies related to provider taxes and state-directed payments (SDPs), among other provisions.Specifically, the bill would freeze, at current rates and amounts, what states can assess through provider taxes as of the date of enactment of this legislation and prohibits states from establishing new provider taxes.In addition, the bill directs the Department of Health and Human Services to revise current regulations to limit SDPs for services furnished on or after the enactment of this legislation from exceeding the total published Medicare payment rate.SDPs are used to support essential hospital services, including behavioral health and obstetrical services, and to create incentives to improve quality and health outcomes. They are particularly important in rural areas, where hospitals are sometimes the sole source of care in a community. AHA May 13 shared a <a href="/advisory/2025-05-12-aha-summary-house-energy-and-commerce-legislative-language">Legislative Advisory</a> with summaries of provisions included in the bill.The House Ways and Means Committee also advanced its portion of the fiscal year 2025 reconciliation bill, with some proposals impacting the health care field. The AHA has developed a <a href="/system/files/media/file/2025/05/aha-summary-of-house-ways-and-means-legislative-language-advisory-5-13-2025.pdf">Legislative Advisory</a> with summaries of several provisions in the bill.The AHA sent a <a href="/system/files/media/file/2025/05/aha-statement-to-house-committee-on-ways-and-means-on-concurrent-resolution-on-the-budget-for-fiscal-year-2025-h-con-res-14-5-13-2025.pdf">statement</a> to the W&amp;M Committee with specific comments on certain sections of the bill, including potential changes to policies related to tax incentives, among other provisions. The AHA discussed several proposals, including expanding the Rural Emergency Hospital definition, greater health plan choice for employees and temporary charitable contribution deductions.As the budget process continues, subscribe to <a href="/2017-12-15-aha-today">AHA Today</a> to receive the latest news.AHA offers 100 suggestions to Trump administration for regulatory reliefThe AHA May 12 <a href="/lettercomment/2025-05-12-aha-response-omb-deregulation-rfi">responded</a> to the Office of Management and Budget's April 11 <a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/04/11/2025-06316/request-for-information-deregulation" target="_blank" title="Federal Register: Request for Information: Deregulation">request for information</a> on regulatory relief, making 100 suggestions to the Trump administration to help reduce burdens on hospitals and health systems. “The Trump administration has rightly pointed out that the health status of too many Americans does not reflect the greatness or wealth of our nation,” said AHA President and CEO Rick Pollack. “Excessive regulatory and administrative burdens are a key contributor, as they add unnecessary cost to the health care system, reduce patient access to care and stifle innovation.”The AHA’s recommendations fall under four categories: billing, payment and other administrative requirements; quality and patient safety; telehealth; and workforce.More administrative actions added to AHA trackerThe Trump administration has issued many executive orders and taken other administrative actions. The AHA has compiled a <a href="/system/files/media/file/2025/01/2025-New-Executive-Orders-20250127.pdf">tracker</a> of the actions the administration has taken that may be of interest to hospitals and health systems. The tracker will be updated regularly as new actions are taken.<img src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/image_67.png" data-entity-uuid="984b9279-b222-4071-8271-33f7153ac0c0" data-entity-type="file" alt="Executive Order Tracker Banner" width="641" height="197" class="align-center">Tell your story to protect access to careYour voice matters. Help protect the care your community depends on. <a href="/tellingthehospitalstory">SHARE YOUR STORY</a>Hospitals provide lifesaving, around-the-clock care, especially in rural and vulnerable communities. But proposed policies could threaten that access. By sharing real stories, we can help policymakers understand the critical role hospitals play — and why protecting access to care, particularly in rural areas, must remain a top priority. Here are some examples of stories that can make a difference.<ul><li>Shodair Children’s Hospital in Helena, Mont., has launched the <a href="/role-hospitals-shodair-childrens-hospital-launches-hope-campaign">Hope Campaign</a> to reduce stigma and encourage conversations about youth mental health.</li><li>Dartmouth Health in Lebanon, N.H., offers free educational <a href="/role-hospitals-virtual-singing-walking-groups-dartmouth-healths-programs-older-adults-enhance-health">classes, support and services</a> to improve the minds, bodies and spirits of older adults and their families. Older adults can take classes to improve their balance, get help using their iPhone, learn strategies for coping with symptoms of chronic disease and get tips for eating healthy.</li><li>Our Lady of the Lake Ascension, a rural community hospital, works to improve early sepsis detection. Their groundbreaking technology has resulted in a <a href="/role-hospitals-our-lady-lake-ascension-works-improve-early-sepsis-detection">30% reduction in mortality</a> among septic patients. IntelliSep, the only Food and Drug Administration-cleared sepsis test, is a blood test that can detect sepsis in its early stages.</li></ul>Advisory details CMS rate announcement, final rule Medicare Advantage, Part DThe AHA April 15 released an <a href="/advisory/2025-04-15-cms-issues-rate-announcement-and-final-rule-cy-2026-medicare-advantage-prescription-drug-plans">advisory</a> detailing the Centers for Medicare &amp; Medicaid Services’ payment rate announcement for Medicare Advantage and Part D programs for calendar year 2026 and its final rule on policy and technical changes to MA, the Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit Program, Medicare Cost Plan Program and Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly.Payments to MA plans will increase by 5.06% on average, or more than $25 billion. The final rule strengthens provider and patient access to appeals processes related to concurrent medical reviews and confirms previous rulemaking regarding MA plan prior authorization determinations, while deferring action on several other plan-focused regulations.Advisories detail FY 2026 Inpatient PPS, TEAM proposed ruleThe AHA May 7 released advisories with additional details on the Centers for Medicare &amp; Medicaid Services’ hospital inpatient prospective payment system and long-term care hospital PPS <a href="/advisory/2025-05-07-inpatient-pps-proposed-rule-fy-2026">proposed rule</a> for fiscal year 2026, which includes changes to the <a href="/advisory/2025-05-07-fy-2026-transforming-episode-accountability-model-proposed-rule">Transforming Episode Accountability Model</a>.View the AHA Regulatory Advisory for a summary and key takeaways from the <a href="/advisory/2025-05-15-long-term-care-hospital-prospective-payment-system-proposed-rule-fy-2026">LTCH</a> provisions of the rule.View the AHA Regulatory Advisory for a summary and key takeaways from the <a href="/advisory/2025-05-15-inpatient-rehabilitation-facility-prospective-payment-system-proposed-rule-fy-2026">inpatient rehabilitation facility</a> and <a href="/2025-05-15-skilled-nursing-facility-pps-proposed-rule-fy-2026">skilled nursing facility</a> proposed rules.<h2>Events &amp; Education</h2>CALL FOR SPEAKERS: 2026 AHA Rural Health Care Leadership ConferenceWe are now accepting <a href="https://www.cvent.com/c/abstracts/8e23b424-5ad1-4aba-a0fd-0998e93d5fd6" target="_blank" title="Cvent: 2026 AHA Rural Health Care Leadership Conference - Call for Speakers">speaking proposals</a> for the <a href="https://ruralconference.aha.org/" target="_blank" title="AHA Rural Health Care Leadership Conference homepage">2026 AHA Rural Health Care Leadership Conference</a>, to be held Feb. 8-11 in San Antonio, Texas. We are especially interested in presentations that feature rural hospital executives, clinical leaders and trustees as presenters. The proposal deadline is June 6. <a href="https://www.cvent.com/c/abstracts/8e23b424-5ad1-4aba-a0fd-0998e93d5fd6" target="_blank" title="Cvent: 2026 AHA Rural Health Care Leadership Conference - Call for Speakers">LEARN MORE</a><img src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/2026_RuralConf_630x320_CallForSpeakers_0.jpg" data-entity-uuid="a80b80ca-e5b7-4a0b-8a27-0261b812e5e0" data-entity-type="file" alt="39th Annual AHA Rural Health Care Leadership Conference. February 8-11, 2026. San Antonio, Texas. JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country. Call for Speakers. Application Deadline: June 6, 2025. Learn more." width="630" height="320" class="align-center">AONL Advocacy DayElevate the voice of nursing leadership and network with your peers from across the country at the AHA’s annual American Organization for Nursing Leadership Advocacy Day on June 2-3 in Washington, D.C. Share with legislators your stories about the impact of national issues on your patients, community and nursing teams. <a href="https://web.cvent.com/event/74dfca98-7862-40db-bf5f-4253a686a17a/summary" target="_blank" title="Cvent: AONL's Advocacy Day">LEARN MORE</a>2025 AHA Leadership SummitThe AHA’s annual <a href="https://leadershipsummit.aha.org/?utm_source=newsletter&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=rural-general" target="_blank" title="�� Association Leadership Summit homepage">Leadership Summit</a> takes place July 20-22 in Nashville, Tenn. Hospital executives, clinicians and experts will share innovative insights, inspiring ideas and disruptive solutions to drive transformative change in health care. Consider joining us a day early for the AHA Sustainability Summit on July 19.Interested in attending at no cost? Participate in the Hosted Buyer Forum, an invitation-only event for hospital and health system leaders that allows you to take part in an exclusive showcase of solution providers who specialize in addressing key issues facing hospitals. Approved applicants are given complimentary registration to the Leadership Summit. Once the forum has concluded, participants are encouraged to join the Leadership Summit’s Welcome Reception for beverages, appetizers and networking. <a href="https://leadershipsummit.aha.org/hosted-buyer" target="_blank" title="�� Association Leadership Summit: Hosted Buyer Forum">LEARN MORE</a><img src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/AHRMM-logo_1.png" data-entity-uuid="2f366015-55ee-4211-b4f9-9acdaab70d73" data-entity-type="file" alt="AHRMM logo. Advancing Health Care through Supply Chain Excellence." width="274" height="109">AHRMM25 ConferenceIn a time of financial pressures and supply chain uncertainty, AHRMM25 is your opportunity to connect, learn and lead. With curated sessions, expert speakers and practical solutions, the conference offers real value for professionals focused on cost savings, resiliency, sourcing and more. Early bird pricing is extended through Aug. 2 to support your participation. Join AHRMM Aug. 3-6 in Denver and be part of the conversation shaping the future of the health care supply chain. <a href="https://www.ahrmm.org/ahrmm-conference-exhibition?utm_source=newsletter" target="_blank" title="AHRMM: AHRMM25 Annual Conference: Health Care Supply Chain">REGISTER TODAY.</a><h2>News</h2>U.S. surpasses 1,000 measles casesAs of May 8, there have been more than 1,000 confirmed cases of measles across the United States this year, according to the <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/measles/data-research/index.html" target="_blank" title="CDC Measles (Rubiola): Measles Cases and Outbreaks">latest data</a> from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Cases have been reported by 30 states and there have been 14 outbreaks. Most cases (928 of 1,001) are outbreak-associated. The vaccination status of 96% of all cases is classified as “unvaccinated or unknown.”Use this <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/project-firstline/media/pdfs/PFL-MeaslesMicroLearn.pdf" target="_blank" title="CDC:" infection control micro-learns user>Project Firstline micro-learn</a> to educate your team on what to do when they suspect a measles case. The micro-learns created by the CDC are a series of guided discussions that connect infection control concepts to immediate, practical value, so healthcare workers can recognize risks and stop the spread of germs.Calls for MA reform amid rising costs and rural hospital strainAn <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2025/04/22/medicare-advantage-upcoding-reform-health-care-reform/" target="_blank" title="The Washington Post: To cut 'waste and fraud,' reform Medicare Advantage">editorial</a> published by The Washington Post calls for reforming Medicare Advantage, citing estimates that the federal government this year will pay $84 billion more for individuals on MA plans than if they were on Traditional Medicare, due in part to MA plan upcoding practices. An <a href="/guidesreports/growing-impact-medicare-advantage-rural-hospitals-across-america">AHA report</a> further examines how certain MA practices heighten financial pressures on rural hospitals and jeopardize access to care in rural communities.Report: The Cost of CaringAmerica’s hospitals are the foundation of our health care system, but in 2025 they face mounting financial pressures. Rising costs, chronic underpayment and growing demand from an aging, medically complex population threaten hospitals’ ability to deliver essential care. The <a href="/costsofcaring">Cost of Caring</a> report from the AHA highlights the most urgent challenges and the need for immediate policy action.Key Findings:<ul><li>Medicare and Medicaid reimbursements cover only 83 cents per dollar spent —leaving hospitals to absorb the loss.</li><li>Medicare Advantage plans increase costs through longer observation stays, delayed discharges and lower reimbursement than Traditional Medicare.</li><li>Administrative burdens are growing, with hospitals spending $26 billion in 2023 on insurance claims and facing delays from rising prior authorizations.</li></ul>Your mission is to share with lawmakers how policy proposals would affect your organization’s ability to care for patients and communities.<ul><li>Protect access: Reject Medicaid funding cuts and extend support to hospitals already operating at a loss.</li><li>Reduce regulations:<ul><li>Ensure stronger enforcement of federal rules related to Medicare Advantage and establish a prompt payment standard.</li><li>Enact regulatory and administrative relief from burdensome policies that take caregivers away from providing patient care and increase costs for patients and the health care system.</li></ul></li></ul><h2>Tools &amp; Resources</h2>Rural Health Information Hub launches more help for health care organizationsA new tool, FORHP Hospital Rural Technical Assistance Finder, is now live on RHIhub. Rural health care organizations can select their organization type, state and county to receive information on the programs for which they may be eligible to receive assistance, based on their need. The direct link to the tool is <a href="https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/hospital-ta" target="_blank" title="Rural Health Information Hub: FORHP Rural Hospital Technical Assistance Finder">here</a> and also accessible via RHIhub’s <a href="https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/" target="_blank" title="Rural Health Information Hube homepage">homepage</a>.HRSA funding and opportunities<a href="https://news.va.gov/138974/telehealth-study-recruiting-veterans-now/" target="_blank" title="Virginia: Telehealth study recruiting Veterans now">Physical Therapy Telehealth Research Study for Veterans.</a> The federal Veterans Affairs (VA) is seeking veterans at least 60 years old for a telehealth program providing high-intensity rehabilitation, coaching and social support. According to the VA’s Office of Rural Health, <a href="https://www.ruralhealth.va.gov/" target="_blank" title="U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs: Office of Rural Health">nearly 5 million veterans live in rural communities</a>.<a href="https://www.ruralgme.org/" target="_blank" title="Rural Graduate Medical Education homepage">Rural Graduate Medical Education planning and development.</a> The Rural Residency Planning and Development Program works to reduce physician shortages in rural areas by supporting the development of rural residency programs. a href="https://www.ruralgme.org/" target="_blank" title="Rural Graduate Medical Education homepage"&gt;Access tools and resources to support development of residency training.AHA blog: 3 Must-know Cyber and Risk Realities: What’s Ahead for Health Care in 2025In 2025, the landscape of cyber and physical threats continues to evolve, challenging health systems to adapt quickly. Hospitals are advancing their strategies to better prepare for attacks, sustain clinical operations and ensure business continuity during prolonged disruptions. <a href="/news/aha-cyber-intel/2025-04-03-3-must-know-cyber-and-risk-realities-whats-ahead-health-care-2025">Learn more</a> about the current threat environment and how the health care sector is responding.<h2>Rural Health Services</h2>The AHA ensures that the unique needs of our members are a national priority. Location, size, workforce, payment and access to capital challenge small and rural hospitals and the communities they serve. AHA Rural Health Services tracks the issues, develops policies and identifies solutions to our most pressing problems. We do this through:<ul><li>Representation and advocacy in Washington, D.C.</li><li>Communication and education.</li><li>Executive leadership and technical assistance.</li><li>Grants, tools and resources.</li></ul>For more details, visit our website at <a href="/advocacy/rural-health-services">AHA Rural Health Services</a> or contact:<ul><li>Susan Doherty, AHA Vice President, Field Engagement (<a href="mailto:sdoherty@aha.org">sdoherty@aha.org</a>)</li><li>Travis Robey, AHA Vice President, Political Affairs (<a href="mailto:trobey@aha.org">trobey@aha.org</a>)</li><li>Shannon Wu, AHA Senior Director, Payment Policy (<a href="mailto:swu@aha.org">swu@aha.org</a>)</li></ul></div></div></div> h2 { color: #307fe2; } Thu, 22 May 2025 10:04:21 -0500 Rural Health Update Rural Health Update April 17, 2025 <div class="container"><div class="row"><div class="col-md-8"><img src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/aha-logo-small-header.png" data-entity-uuid="0a3f954c-34fd-4faa-8f13-d31245d1d41f" data-entity-type="file" alt="Small AHA Logo Header" width="128" height="48" class="align-center"><img src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/rural-health-icon_1.jpg" data-entity-uuid="248e96f2-a7da-403f-835e-93ccca7b07d7" data-entity-type="file" alt="Rural Health Image" width="600" height="45" class="align-center"><h2 class="text-align-center">NEWS UPDATE</h2>April 17 2025Your guide to the latest rural health news and resourcesThe following is a compilation of recent news from the AHA and the Rural Health Services team, whose focus is to ensure rural hospitals’ and health systems’ unique needs are national priorities.<img src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/image_9.png" data-entity-uuid="ccd6cbce-9947-4c0f-9732-6c6052160b3d" data-entity-type="file" alt="AHA Rural Advocacy Alliance Logo" width="571" height="84">&nbsp;Register for full access to AHA members-only Resources AHA members have access to a wealth of information developed exclusively for their benefit. Accessing members-only content requires registering for an account on AHA.org.&nbsp;Go to&nbsp;<a href="/system/files/media/file/2025/02/How-to-Stay-Informed-and-Get-Connected.pdf?utm_source=newsletter&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=rural-general" target="_blank" title="AHA Members-only Resources">AHA Member Access to register.</a>Update on Rural Health Services Committee spring 2025 meeting On March 6-7, 2025, the AHA Rural Health Services Committee met in Houston. Members received an update on the latest from Washington, D.C., including budget reconciliation, work on associated health funding packages, political appointments and an overview of the most recent AHA Board of Trustees meeting. Members discussed organizational practices and policies to address outstanding patient debts and how this work informs AHA’s advocacy on federal policies addressing medical debt. Members also discussed the mounting financial pressures, including Medicare Advantage expansion, and how outside forces jeopardize the ability of rural hospitals to provide essential services. There was follow-up consideration given to priority areas related to physician workforce and payment, and feedback from members was taken on AHA’s advocacy and policy recommendations related to this topic. Members provided input on AHA’s approach to advocating for regulatory relief for hospitals, including specific regulations that could be eliminated.Julie Yaroch, DO, president, ProMedica Charles and Virginia Hickman Hospital in Adrian, Mich., serves as the chair of the committee. Lynn Falcone, CEO, Cuero Regional Hospital in Cuero, Texas, serves as the incoming chair (2026), and Sean Fadale, president and CEO, Nathan Littauer Hospital and Nursing Home in Gloversville, N.Y., is the immediate past chair (2024). To view the full roster, please go to the 2025&nbsp;<a href="https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Femail.membership.aha.org%2FNzEwLVpMTC02NTEAAAGZ4pmVq82U1OzzFKV7y4gpQ6lBqoHuHuiEHlYcC3Qa6qQ2p44QvTsFO9KJqClRyCecUBWd3Fw%3D&amp;data=05%7C02%7Clsteiner%40aha.org%7Ce8d64bd3396549ef3c2608dd7da7b5db%7Cb9119340beb74e5e84b23cc18f7b36a6%7C0%7C0%7C638804881528212130%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=PSGxJoE6Ct5ohNVJVFDNBq3i1rBo5gNg%2Bi0skDtNjYk%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank" title="Original URL: https://email.membership.aha.org/NzEwLVpMTC02NTEAAAGZ4pmVq82U1OzzFKV7y4gpQ6lBqoHuHuiEHlYcC3Qa6qQ2p44QvTsFO9KJqClRyCecUBWd3Fw=. Click or tap if you trust this link.">Rural&nbsp;Health&nbsp;Services Committee Roster</a>.&nbsp;Trump administration issues additional deregulation orders and notices The Trump administration April 9&nbsp;<a href="https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Femail.membership.aha.org%2FNzEwLVpMTC02NTEAAAGZ4pmVrKOkmBohMSEUGCXOGo75uoI6xhzbKyqW929XH70BL4ehn0UutjAhnneF532s5SHb7AU%3D&amp;data=05%7C02%7Clsteiner%40aha.org%7Ce8d64bd3396549ef3c2608dd7da7b5db%7Cb9119340beb74e5e84b23cc18f7b36a6%7C0%7C0%7C638804881528221741%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=rt59KCenNPgJ85ZfgHhuurMWr3CIp9FmdoVUtXKSinc%3D&amp;reserved=0" title="Original URL: https://email.membership.aha.org/NzEwLVpMTC02NTEAAAGZ4pmVrKOkmBohMSEUGCXOGo75uoI6xhzbKyqW929XH70BL4ehn0UutjAhnneF532s5SHb7AU=. Click or tap if you trust this link.">released</a>&nbsp;executive orders on reducing anti-competitive regulatory barriers and repealing certain regulations deemed unlawful.The order on reducing anti-competitive barriers directs federal agencies to review all regulations subject to their rulemaking authority and identify those that create de facto or de jure monopolies, create barriers to entry for new market participants, create or facilitate licensure or accreditation requirements that unduly limit competition, or otherwise impose anti-competitive restraints or distortions in the market.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;The order on repealing unlawful regulations is linked to a Feb. 25&nbsp;<a href="https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Femail.membership.aha.org%2FNzEwLVpMTC02NTEAAAGZ4pmVrFADco3qQI9Qt3CAxc6dTLnRrc-EqwnrMfv7xVpmQp3FUcc84m3gQuNS8U8Hjh3bgcY%3D&amp;data=05%7C02%7Clsteiner%40aha.org%7Ce8d64bd3396549ef3c2608dd7da7b5db%7Cb9119340beb74e5e84b23cc18f7b36a6%7C0%7C0%7C638804881528231692%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=99GSO%2BIbupEKpexOPimB62aplPpDBiHZYPad1cLrkYs%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank" title="Original URL: https://email.membership.aha.org/NzEwLVpMTC02NTEAAAGZ4pmVrFADco3qQI9Qt3CAxc6dTLnRrc-EqwnrMfv7xVpmQp3FUcc84m3gQuNS8U8Hjh3bgcY=. Click or tap if you trust this link.">executive order</a>&nbsp;that directed agencies within 60 days to identify unlawful and potentially unlawful regulations to be repealed. The new order instructs agencies to take steps to immediately repeal regulations and provide justification within 30 days for any identified as unlawful but have not been targeted for repeal, explaining the basis for the decision not to repeal.CMS finalizes CY 2026 Medicare Advantage, Part D rates The Centers for Medicare &amp; Medicaid Services April 7&nbsp;<a href="https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Femail.membership.aha.org%2FNzEwLVpMTC02NTEAAAGZ4pmVq0NvGpXaRawOoY1tys0BZYVhRahJf75tZglvcoqDV39SF83-_EEeumlIaxL72txnuh8%3D&amp;data=05%7C02%7Clsteiner%40aha.org%7Ce8d64bd3396549ef3c2608dd7da7b5db%7Cb9119340beb74e5e84b23cc18f7b36a6%7C0%7C0%7C638804881528241602%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=W0myY9TyA1TWBWewZcwEhNyCVPkpBW81j399ESiycXg%3D&amp;reserved=0" title="Original URL: https://email.membership.aha.org/NzEwLVpMTC02NTEAAAGZ4pmVq0NvGpXaRawOoY1tys0BZYVhRahJf75tZglvcoqDV39SF83-_EEeumlIaxL72txnuh8=. Click or tap if you trust this link.">released</a>&nbsp;finalized payment rates for calendar year 2026 Medicare Advantage and Part D plans. Payments to MA plans are projected to result in an increase of 5.06%, or more than $25 billion. This is an increase of 2.83% since the CY 2026 Advance Notice, which CMS attributes to an increase in the effective growth rate. The AHA is continuing to review the rate announcement and recent&nbsp;<a href="https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Femail.membership.aha.org%2FNzEwLVpMTC02NTEAAAGZ4pmVq9FdRJfUsmJR6tUrHWChuy3oiRSnTzpRpewFAva3NMFoAUTDA-Y2_sLaOzkbgQMFTQY%3D&amp;data=05%7C02%7Clsteiner%40aha.org%7Ce8d64bd3396549ef3c2608dd7da7b5db%7Cb9119340beb74e5e84b23cc18f7b36a6%7C0%7C0%7C638804881528251196%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=c%2B0ts9cSACrJHRnH7b1B1w1gZ%2B2n06esvQ3Dnzo%2Ftbg%3D&amp;reserved=0" title="Original URL: https://email.membership.aha.org/NzEwLVpMTC02NTEAAAGZ4pmVq9FdRJfUsmJR6tUrHWChuy3oiRSnTzpRpewFAva3NMFoAUTDA-Y2_sLaOzkbgQMFTQY=. Click or tap if you trust this link.">policy rule</a>&nbsp;and will provide members with more information soon.Medicaid funding cuts loom The Medicaid program is the largest single source of&nbsp;health&nbsp;care coverage in the United States, covering nearly half of all children, over 40% of births (including nearly 50% of births in&nbsp;rural&nbsp;communities), many low-income elderly and disabled individuals, and working adults in low-wage jobs that do not offer affordable coverage. Congress is currently considering policy options that could collectively reduce federal spending for the Medicaid program by trillions of dollars over the next 10 years. These options include proposals to directly reduce federal spending on the program and limit states’ ability to generate funding for the state share of the costs. For more detail, see the&nbsp;<a href="https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Femail.membership.aha.org%2FNzEwLVpMTC02NTEAAAGZ4pmVq1WkaNzztS8Cs3J6o8pEZ7FnQ5Lbqo1hi2rtiC4N0BsIHhheY7vahtges-FRAjhFG8E%3D&amp;data=05%7C02%7Clsteiner%40aha.org%7Ce8d64bd3396549ef3c2608dd7da7b5db%7Cb9119340beb74e5e84b23cc18f7b36a6%7C0%7C0%7C638804881528260610%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=cXoROVqK9vIl6ddb5UuXq4VCP%2BhQ1ADoLs1ZtdXx7R4%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank" title="Original URL: https://email.membership.aha.org/NzEwLVpMTC02NTEAAAGZ4pmVq1WkaNzztS8Cs3J6o8pEZ7FnQ5Lbqo1hi2rtiC4N0BsIHhheY7vahtges-FRAjhFG8E=. Click or tap if you trust this link.">AHA Medicaid Fact Sheet</a>&nbsp;and &nbsp;the April 6 New York Times story&nbsp;<a href="https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Femail.membership.aha.org%2FNzEwLVpMTC02NTEAAAGZ4pmVq2SAVn31zjdQJq8H9yyESYnSZ1YvbMWmxyU1gUAaZSTcmagBYk2UVcYC19cAika_wEA%3D&amp;data=05%7C02%7Clsteiner%40aha.org%7Ce8d64bd3396549ef3c2608dd7da7b5db%7Cb9119340beb74e5e84b23cc18f7b36a6%7C0%7C0%7C638804881528270357%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=03Yxb80XWl6CTKzBd4AEcns6iU3AFe%2BhGxK%2BsakY7nE%3D&amp;reserved=0" title="Original URL: https://email.membership.aha.org/NzEwLVpMTC02NTEAAAGZ4pmVq2SAVn31zjdQJq8H9yyESYnSZ1YvbMWmxyU1gUAaZSTcmagBYk2UVcYC19cAika_wEA=. Click or tap if you trust this link.">“The Three States That Are Especially Stuck if Congress Cuts Medicaid.”</a>Potential cuts to Medicaid could cause service reductions at&nbsp;health&nbsp;facilities that serve Native Americans, among other devastating effects to tribal&nbsp;health&nbsp;programs in&nbsp;rural&nbsp;communities, according to an article by&nbsp;<a href="https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Femail.membership.aha.org%2FNzEwLVpMTC02NTEAAAGZ4pmVrHn9SHbj74YF86sr5lpLQ1eH1ATJ8gg-DdVU_xPRpUHjhmublwQQPBGF3A1IMysqsPQ%3D&amp;data=05%7C02%7Clsteiner%40aha.org%7Ce8d64bd3396549ef3c2608dd7da7b5db%7Cb9119340beb74e5e84b23cc18f7b36a6%7C0%7C0%7C638804881528279658%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=fh0KmJPSd6Rv6lXaD%2Bz1%2BY6HoGue7lC%2F9JVIUuHwMS0%3D&amp;reserved=0" title="Original URL: https://email.membership.aha.org/NzEwLVpMTC02NTEAAAGZ4pmVrHn9SHbj74YF86sr5lpLQ1eH1ATJ8gg-DdVU_xPRpUHjhmublwQQPBGF3A1IMysqsPQ=. Click or tap if you trust this link.">KFF</a>&nbsp;published March 19.AHA report shows how hospitals meet their communities’ unique needsU.S. hospitals go above and beyond to advance&nbsp;health, according to a new&nbsp;<a href="https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Femail.membership.aha.org%2FNzEwLVpMTC02NTEAAAGZ4pmVrYpt6VfemQAKz5C2aJPjKplnDTQlhOlcR1aszt5XrXgEUdlUy7sgicPkgBAVDPLMHlg%3D&amp;data=05%7C02%7Clsteiner%40aha.org%7Ce8d64bd3396549ef3c2608dd7da7b5db%7Cb9119340beb74e5e84b23cc18f7b36a6%7C0%7C0%7C638804881528288811%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=l47PKHMaTNJFZJC0OYRD2enEbvHjA6XSkT2N1%2FQacFk%3D&amp;reserved=0" title="Original URL: https://email.membership.aha.org/NzEwLVpMTC02NTEAAAGZ4pmVrYpt6VfemQAKz5C2aJPjKplnDTQlhOlcR1aszt5XrXgEUdlUy7sgicPkgBAVDPLMHlg=. Click or tap if you trust this link.">report</a>&nbsp;released April 9 by the AHA and Catholic&nbsp;Health&nbsp;Association of the United States. The report shows how hospitals meet the unique needs of their communities, including by providing financial assistance, supporting groundbreaking research to discover future cures, training the&nbsp;health&nbsp;care workforce, running community&nbsp;health&nbsp;programs and absorbing below-cost reimbursement from means-tested government programs, such as Medicaid.Key report findings:<ul><li>Nonprofit hospitals provide numerous community benefits in addition to financial assistance, adapting these services to meet the evolving needs of their communities.</li><li>Community benefits vary by hospital characteristics.</li><li>Providing care at a loss to low-income patients covered through Medicaid and those in need of financial assistance are important and related components of community benefit.</li></ul>Resources:<ul><li>View&nbsp;the AHA and CHA&nbsp;<a href="https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Femail.membership.aha.org%2FNzEwLVpMTC02NTEAAAGZ4pmVq8l1yH5l4rJFI7vZGxgGLFTgIFw8i8l4SEG1Ek6wHDITRl83BGUk11vZs_JeAiWMUj8%3D&amp;data=05%7C02%7Clsteiner%40aha.org%7Ce8d64bd3396549ef3c2608dd7da7b5db%7Cb9119340beb74e5e84b23cc18f7b36a6%7C0%7C0%7C638804881528297931%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=mRvk9wJxzjacOrrUCWxfe%2BLN0T3YU0Yvv4LNteMnN5A%3D&amp;reserved=0" title="Original URL: https://email.membership.aha.org/NzEwLVpMTC02NTEAAAGZ4pmVq8l1yH5l4rJFI7vZGxgGLFTgIFw8i8l4SEG1Ek6wHDITRl83BGUk11vZs_JeAiWMUj8=. Click or tap if you trust this link.">press release</a>&nbsp;on the report.</li><li>Download the&nbsp;<a href="https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Femail.membership.aha.org%2FNzEwLVpMTC02NTEAAAGZ4pmVqwd0BMIHBbX83FSi3wBsh8Fi1-k6NSNAtGqAJgrZj92Z0Pk00HVU_24BPMGv38vMFKo%3D&amp;data=05%7C02%7Clsteiner%40aha.org%7Ce8d64bd3396549ef3c2608dd7da7b5db%7Cb9119340beb74e5e84b23cc18f7b36a6%7C0%7C0%7C638804881528307000%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=qdFqfXXpt0F2T9tFj7uJhHpkSUbEeSkXm35Sh6602nk%3D&amp;reserved=0" title="Original URL: https://email.membership.aha.org/NzEwLVpMTC02NTEAAAGZ4pmVqwd0BMIHBbX83FSi3wBsh8Fi1-k6NSNAtGqAJgrZj92Z0Pk00HVU_24BPMGv38vMFKo=. Click or tap if you trust this link.">digital toolkit</a>. Use the AHA graphics and social media messages or adapt them for your organization.</li><li>Use&nbsp;the hashtag #WeAreHealthCare when posting your social content and consider tagging the AHA (@ahahospitals).</li></ul>Share the AHA&nbsp;<a href="https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Femail.membership.aha.org%2FNzEwLVpMTC02NTEAAAGZ4pmVq-zTa3GZfPcSfIyNaSuTX8wMEpZ-GPGqWaRJCjw0mva1EPG393GhfqzzBUj2977O5EA%3D&amp;data=05%7C02%7Clsteiner%40aha.org%7Ce8d64bd3396549ef3c2608dd7da7b5db%7Cb9119340beb74e5e84b23cc18f7b36a6%7C0%7C0%7C638804881528315819%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=GE9Z%2F%2FGAFUlbdQPDT2m4%2B6somrdn1s4LgjGgjwu%2FOc8%3D&amp;reserved=0" title="Original URL: https://email.membership.aha.org/NzEwLVpMTC02NTEAAAGZ4pmVq-zTa3GZfPcSfIyNaSuTX8wMEpZ-GPGqWaRJCjw0mva1EPG393GhfqzzBUj2977O5EA=. Click or tap if you trust this link.">video</a>&nbsp;to inform your community how hospitals’ commitment to their community benefits everyone.<h2>Events &amp; Education</h2>Attend the 2025 AHA Annual Membership Meeting May 4-6 Join us in Washington, D.C., May 4-6 for insightful conversations with policymakers, legislators and thought leaders on the most pressing issues facing our field.&nbsp;You’ll&nbsp;connect with the decision makers who create,&nbsp;shape&nbsp;and implement&nbsp;health&nbsp;care policy and influence the political landscape.The&nbsp;Rural&nbsp;Washington&nbsp;Update&nbsp;will take place May 4 from 2-2:45 p.m.&nbsp;and will feature Rachel Fybel, a&nbsp;health&nbsp;policy advisor for the U.S. Senate; Matt Hittle, staff member of the Committee on Ways and Means for the U.S. House of Representatives; and Sarah Young, director of the Policy Research Division for the Office of&nbsp;Rural&nbsp;Health&nbsp;Policy in the&nbsp;Health&nbsp;Resources &amp; Services Administration.&nbsp;<a href="https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Femail.membership.aha.org%2FNzEwLVpMTC02NTEAAAGZ4pmVrLAQERUmP_TVuAlozVtcQsUc3KmlFbFQwL---D-WXD0fYiNMLiLz_90PzqLnhzbfJXA%3D&amp;data=05%7C02%7Clsteiner%40aha.org%7Ce8d64bd3396549ef3c2608dd7da7b5db%7Cb9119340beb74e5e84b23cc18f7b36a6%7C0%7C0%7C638804881528324599%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=y4OWZKt9KA2xbNp9nM6BcX6ZmDpGNSJbJlnuugA2VFE%3D&amp;reserved=0" title="Original URL: https://email.membership.aha.org/NzEwLVpMTC02NTEAAAGZ4pmVrLAQERUmP_TVuAlozVtcQsUc3KmlFbFQwL---D-WXD0fYiNMLiLz_90PzqLnhzbfJXA=. Click or tap if you trust this link.">REGISTER NOW.</a><img src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/image_40.png" data-entity-uuid="2fae1769-65e6-4006-951a-708cd8ec3e81" data-entity-type="file" width="518" height="262"><h2>Features</h2>Health Care Plan Accountability Update The AHA March 25 released its&nbsp;<a href="https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Femail.membership.aha.org%2FNzEwLVpMTC02NTEAAAGZ4pmVqz5TA26slU6p-eztapIyqAwVXseTRQ-QlhogElcm36WohlRCRu4qT27oNyVycxpI7L8%3D&amp;data=05%7C02%7Clsteiner%40aha.org%7Ce8d64bd3396549ef3c2608dd7da7b5db%7Cb9119340beb74e5e84b23cc18f7b36a6%7C0%7C0%7C638804881528342738%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=I09%2FKHIbe4XluFGQiY2iijuW0DT45ozCL1BESmLhOJg%3D&amp;reserved=0" title="Original URL: https://email.membership.aha.org/NzEwLVpMTC02NTEAAAGZ4pmVqz5TA26slU6p-eztapIyqAwVXseTRQ-QlhogElcm36WohlRCRu4qT27oNyVycxpI7L8=. Click or tap if you trust this link.">Health&nbsp;Care Plan Accountability&nbsp;Update</a>, covering the latest developments in Medicare Advantage, legislation and regulation of private&nbsp;health&nbsp;insurers, and resources from the last quarter.AHA report examines the administrative burden some Medicare Advantage plans place on rural hospitals An&nbsp;<a href="https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Femail.membership.aha.org%2FNzEwLVpMTC02NTEAAAGZ4pmVq_TCCM4qSiqabA0qKsDtPBntc0J_nWjiVs2juVNuBoly36Q7K9HTIkm9ocNkZOSkzzc%3D&amp;data=05%7C02%7Clsteiner%40aha.org%7Ce8d64bd3396549ef3c2608dd7da7b5db%7Cb9119340beb74e5e84b23cc18f7b36a6%7C0%7C0%7C638804881528365943%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=gY%2BMbXgVPsUl1AZxb0nFhNV6AJp7OEQrGJZkJXsyaHo%3D&amp;reserved=0" title="Original URL: https://email.membership.aha.org/NzEwLVpMTC02NTEAAAGZ4pmVq_TCCM4qSiqabA0qKsDtPBntc0J_nWjiVs2juVNuBoly36Q7K9HTIkm9ocNkZOSkzzc=. Click or tap if you trust this link.">AHA report</a>&nbsp;highlights how some practices by certain Medicare Advantage plans increase the administrative burden on&nbsp;rural&nbsp;hospitals, leading to increased costs and delays in patients’ access to care. Nearly 4 in 5&nbsp;rural&nbsp;clinicians report an increase in administrative tasks over the past five years, with 86% saying these demands have negatively impacted patient outcomes. For&nbsp;rural&nbsp;hospitals that often operate with limited staffing, technology and other resources, these practices present substantial challenges to their workflow and budgets, while patients face delays and uncertainty in receiving timely care.AHA Trustee Services: Competence in fiduciary, strategic and generative governance can increase board effectiveness An article in the latest edition of&nbsp;<a href="https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Femail.membership.aha.org%2FNzEwLVpMTC02NTEAAAGZ4pmVqznctX33qMx1VVR3NhNoLclevd5XKmOcjmXsAjEbxLLqc5U3zHA4OhWk96jI_rgvh14%3D&amp;data=05%7C02%7Clsteiner%40aha.org%7Ce8d64bd3396549ef3c2608dd7da7b5db%7Cb9119340beb74e5e84b23cc18f7b36a6%7C0%7C0%7C638804881528376888%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=No%2Bb2O55BtHfqxzMPquglpzTdEgIh7J17lISjlDKpvw%3D&amp;reserved=0" title="Original URL: https://email.membership.aha.org/NzEwLVpMTC02NTEAAAGZ4pmVqznctX33qMx1VVR3NhNoLclevd5XKmOcjmXsAjEbxLLqc5U3zHA4OhWk96jI_rgvh14=. Click or tap if you trust this link.">AHA Trustee Services</a>&nbsp;explains why boards need to strengthen three key modes of governance — fiduciary, strategic and generative — to make smarter decisions and move from being good to great.<h2>Tools &amp; Resources</h2>More administrative actions added to AHA tracker The Trump administration has issued many executive orders and taken other administrative actions. The AHA has compiled a&nbsp;<a href="https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Femail.membership.aha.org%2FNzEwLVpMTC02NTEAAAGZ4pmVrJtzhps4KXV4ykuA5p1l5JgwY0-Uv_HWgrU2hnNIkBi73107nbQJ6-SHOPJsnq42npg%3D&amp;data=05%7C02%7Clsteiner%40aha.org%7Ce8d64bd3396549ef3c2608dd7da7b5db%7Cb9119340beb74e5e84b23cc18f7b36a6%7C0%7C0%7C638804881528396850%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=7wC%2FEPKjFiv04jH5DzYTVPHyZyigV7vCbPEvF4WF1MY%3D&amp;reserved=0" title="Original URL: https://email.membership.aha.org/NzEwLVpMTC02NTEAAAGZ4pmVrJtzhps4KXV4ykuA5p1l5JgwY0-Uv_HWgrU2hnNIkBi73107nbQJ6-SHOPJsnq42npg=. Click or tap if you trust this link.">tracker</a>&nbsp;of the actions the administration has taken that may be of interest to hospitals and&nbsp;health&nbsp;systems. The tracker will be&nbsp;updated regularly as new actions are taken.<img src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/image_67.png" data-entity-uuid="984b9279-b222-4071-8271-33f7153ac0c0" data-entity-type="file" alt="Executive Order Tracker Banner" width="641" height="197"> New Webinar: Unlock Rural Grant Funding with AHA Grant ServicesApril 21 | 2–3 p.m. ET&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Femail.membership.aha.org%2FNzEwLVpMTC02NTEAAAGZ4pmVrV1Hg4O3jcwPQYwPcmKNVh1bMMVTZvGHdwjZcaJflVCGZ81m--jpUMnUTo2QsTkNwWE%3D&amp;data=05%7C02%7Clsteiner%40aha.org%7Ce8d64bd3396549ef3c2608dd7da7b5db%7Cb9119340beb74e5e84b23cc18f7b36a6%7C0%7C0%7C638804881528415143%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=mDkq7m2n9D0LMWa8UOQxlnDgN0p5EhZ3%2F4ABYRHmtMI%3D&amp;reserved=0" title="Original URL: https://email.membership.aha.org/NzEwLVpMTC02NTEAAAGZ4pmVrV1Hg4O3jcwPQYwPcmKNVh1bMMVTZvGHdwjZcaJflVCGZ81m--jpUMnUTo2QsTkNwWE=. Click or tap if you trust this link.">Register here</a>The AHA Funded Partnerships team now offers tailored support to help members pursue grants aligned with their mission — whether that’s identifying opportunities, preparing applications or building a long-term strategy.Join us April 21 for an interactive webinar to learn how AHA can support your team’s grant readiness and growth.Recent testimonial: “Our experience with the AHA Funded Partnerships team has been nothing short of transformative. Their ability to identify opportunities, shape data and story is a game changer for our organization.”Questions? Email&nbsp;<a href="https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Femail.membership.aha.org%2FNzEwLVpMTC02NTEAAAGZ4pmVq_MTDYUZLi1RKox_danyscT5p4_MqDPOa34eLS9m63_R2R_mlnSIfTNj2WzuyIWBPlo%3D&amp;data=05%7C02%7Clsteiner%40aha.org%7Ce8d64bd3396549ef3c2608dd7da7b5db%7Cb9119340beb74e5e84b23cc18f7b36a6%7C0%7C0%7C638804881528424082%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=fg26CEI38Mr4zrvy7aHBe5%2Bk937gTrkdM573ZFcgTA4%3D&amp;reserved=0" title="Original URL: https://email.membership.aha.org/NzEwLVpMTC02NTEAAAGZ4pmVq_MTDYUZLi1RKox_danyscT5p4_MqDPOa34eLS9m63_R2R_mlnSIfTNj2WzuyIWBPlo=. Click or tap if you trust this link.">FundedPartnerships@aha.org</a>&nbsp;or read more about the&nbsp;<a href="https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Femail.membership.aha.org%2FNzEwLVpMTC02NTEAAAGZ4pmVq5R8gletQAoQ4s97VaHTOT5Ib_JHpm0NqiXWH2VrZmEVoUApaKXrsB2u5ZkoPL0L3us%3D&amp;data=05%7C02%7Clsteiner%40aha.org%7Ce8d64bd3396549ef3c2608dd7da7b5db%7Cb9119340beb74e5e84b23cc18f7b36a6%7C0%7C0%7C638804881528445029%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=9y8K7OV7gIXWdnHvh7rmLZ24ox%2FEM4jfInD%2Fp3lA3ns%3D&amp;reserved=0" title="Original URL: https://email.membership.aha.org/NzEwLVpMTC02NTEAAAGZ4pmVq5R8gletQAoQ4s97VaHTOT5Ib_JHpm0NqiXWH2VrZmEVoUApaKXrsB2u5ZkoPL0L3us=. Click or tap if you trust this link.">AHA Grant Services</a>&nbsp;for members.Resources to protect rural hospitals from cyberthreats Rural&nbsp;hospitals’ limited access to technology, staff and financial resources constrains their ability to defend against the malicious actors behind today’s ever-escalating cyberattacks, writes John Riggi, AHA national advisor for cybersecurity and risk, in a new blog on&nbsp;<a href="https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Femail.membership.aha.org%2FNzEwLVpMTC02NTEAAAGZ4pmVrGd4bratJrd3_Z94AUxi8yqIu6BWpZNS4DriVy4Q8E-nHqsC0jM4WEZf2dfW2LS-pOA%3D&amp;data=05%7C02%7Clsteiner%40aha.org%7Ce8d64bd3396549ef3c2608dd7da7b5db%7Cb9119340beb74e5e84b23cc18f7b36a6%7C0%7C0%7C638804881528455949%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=Er7V5uxCiLt4ZKo99IyX09THHYgabAw8yFOiE9KiycY%3D&amp;reserved=0" title="Original URL: https://email.membership.aha.org/NzEwLVpMTC02NTEAAAGZ4pmVrGd4bratJrd3_Z94AUxi8yqIu6BWpZNS4DriVy4Q8E-nHqsC0jM4WEZf2dfW2LS-pOA=. Click or tap if you trust this link.">protecting&nbsp;rural&nbsp;hospitals from cyberthreats</a>. The blog includes several resources, including details on the Microsoft&nbsp;<a href="https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Femail.membership.aha.org%2FNzEwLVpMTC02NTEAAAGZ4pmVrJyLHSJ08wPBYSOykaewLUrcWFP45SUrUqukWkGf3lH1NkDivZfk_3eKRGYofRCY1gY%3D&amp;data=05%7C02%7Clsteiner%40aha.org%7Ce8d64bd3396549ef3c2608dd7da7b5db%7Cb9119340beb74e5e84b23cc18f7b36a6%7C0%7C0%7C638804881528465929%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=eMPXTH4vEy9Pyk%2BB7i8EFg5VgkHD3gBiguKIsA7mA14%3D&amp;reserved=0" title="Original URL: https://email.membership.aha.org/NzEwLVpMTC02NTEAAAGZ4pmVrJyLHSJ08wPBYSOykaewLUrcWFP45SUrUqukWkGf3lH1NkDivZfk_3eKRGYofRCY1gY=. Click or tap if you trust this link.">Cybersecurity for&nbsp;Rural&nbsp;Hospitals Program</a>, a program by the AHA and Microsoft that includes free and heavily discounted cybersecurity services. The program also includes nonprofit pricing for qualifying critical access hospitals on Microsoft enterprise licenses. More than 550 hospitals have joined the program.Justin Spelhaug, corporate vice president and global head of Tech for Social Impact at Microsoft Philanthropies, joined Riggi for a two-part podcast (<a href="https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Femail.membership.aha.org%2FNzEwLVpMTC02NTEAAAGZ4pmVq4r0_khR2dPnUhb93Bg8vcXgE6jIDnf6RVeRT2_FrXfZZdU9CxB9W53j8K06PwgDUO8%3D&amp;data=05%7C02%7Clsteiner%40aha.org%7Ce8d64bd3396549ef3c2608dd7da7b5db%7Cb9119340beb74e5e84b23cc18f7b36a6%7C0%7C0%7C638804881528474944%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=ka7WaqT7v1zD0c4%2B2wyTPEbhXnHq%2FTUd66w%2FUTaJQjw%3D&amp;reserved=0" title="Original URL: https://email.membership.aha.org/NzEwLVpMTC02NTEAAAGZ4pmVq4r0_khR2dPnUhb93Bg8vcXgE6jIDnf6RVeRT2_FrXfZZdU9CxB9W53j8K06PwgDUO8=. Click or tap if you trust this link.">part 1;</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Femail.membership.aha.org%2FNzEwLVpMTC02NTEAAAGZ4pmVqzhYzmxaDu5sQzqix1OKzIsu3NX7ksYgBh3VQhBcwlT9levUrwXniGEWhFR-lPLKIx8%3D&amp;data=05%7C02%7Clsteiner%40aha.org%7Ce8d64bd3396549ef3c2608dd7da7b5db%7Cb9119340beb74e5e84b23cc18f7b36a6%7C0%7C0%7C638804881528493321%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=WwcwSIYGzx%2Ft8dcVs8%2B4cebiSefDnOVAlUtiMsXH9nw%3D&amp;reserved=0" title="Original URL: https://email.membership.aha.org/NzEwLVpMTC02NTEAAAGZ4pmVqzhYzmxaDu5sQzqix1OKzIsu3NX7ksYgBh3VQhBcwlT9levUrwXniGEWhFR-lPLKIx8=. Click or tap if you trust this link.">part 2</a>) to discuss the unique vulnerabilities&nbsp;rural&nbsp;hospitals face, the latest cyberthreats and actionable strategies to strengthen defenses.AHA Market Scan: Innovative Rural Hospitals Improve Access to Care Whether it’s drones delivering medications or nurses driving virtual care on wheels,&nbsp;rural&nbsp;hospitals are innovating to close the gap between providers and patients. These creative solutions are designed to keep patient needs, geographic barriers and economic realities top of mind. Read how&nbsp;<a href="https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Femail.membership.aha.org%2FNzEwLVpMTC02NTEAAAGZ4pmVq15AZJPXfOE19TNESihkM6vvNuOS19qO_welZxka9-IGbhp6UU46DmoelSz1b5stUPc%3D&amp;data=05%7C02%7Clsteiner%40aha.org%7Ce8d64bd3396549ef3c2608dd7da7b5db%7Cb9119340beb74e5e84b23cc18f7b36a6%7C0%7C0%7C638804881528509097%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=hVziC0ukdb7FAQ0MkivUEUXihVBSlFnMri3%2BCNY0WEQ%3D&amp;reserved=0" title="Original URL: https://email.membership.aha.org/NzEwLVpMTC02NTEAAAGZ4pmVq15AZJPXfOE19TNESihkM6vvNuOS19qO_welZxka9-IGbhp6UU46DmoelSz1b5stUPc=. Click or tap if you trust this link.">rural&nbsp;hospitals are using innovation</a>&nbsp;to better serve their communities.<h2>Rural Health Services</h2>AHA ensures the unique needs of our members are a national priority. Location, size, workforce, payment and access to capital challenge small or rural hospitals and the communities they serve. AHA Rural Health Services tracks the issues, develops policies and identifies solutions to our most pressing problems. We do this through:<ul><li>Representation and advocacy in Washington, D.C.</li><li>Communication and education.</li><li>Executive leadership and technical assistance.</li><li>Grants, tools, and resources.</li></ul>For more details, visit our website at<a href="/advocacy/rural-health-services">&nbsp;AHA Rural Health Services&nbsp;</a>or contact:&nbsp;-Susan Doherty, AHA Vice President, Field Engagement (<a href="mailto:sdoherty@aha.org" target="_blank" title="Susan Doherty email ">sdoherty@aha.org</a>) -Travis Robey, AHA Vice President, Political Affairs (<a href="mailto:trobey@aha.org" target="_blank" title="Travis Robey email">trobey@aha.org</a>) -Shannon Wu, AHA Senior Associate Director, Payment Policy (<a href="mailto:swu@aha.org" title="Shannon Wu email">swu@aha.org</a>)&nbsp;</div></div></div> Mon, 12 May 2025 08:34:09 -0500 Rural Health Update Rural Health Update February 2025 <div class="container"><div class="row"><div class="col-md-8"><img src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/aha-logo-small-header.png" data-entity-uuid="0a3f954c-34fd-4faa-8f13-d31245d1d41f" data-entity-type="file" alt="Small AHA Logo Header" width="128" height="48" class="align-center"><img src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/rural-health-icon_1.jpg" data-entity-uuid="248e96f2-a7da-403f-835e-93ccca7b07d7" data-entity-type="file" alt="Rural Health Image" width="600" height="45" class="align-center"><h2 class="text-align-center">NEWS UPDATE</h2>February 2025Your guide to the latest rural health news and resourcesThe following is a compilation of recent news from the AHA and the Rural Health Services team, whose focus is to ensure rural hospitals’ and health systems’ unique needs are national priorities.<img src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/image_9.png" data-entity-uuid="ccd6cbce-9947-4c0f-9732-6c6052160b3d" data-entity-type="file" alt="AHA Rural Advocacy Alliance Logo" width="571" height="84">&nbsp;Report from the 2025 AHA Rural Health Care Leadership Conference The 2025 AHA Rural Health Care Leadership Conference took place Feb. 23-26 in San Antonio. More than 1,200 rural heath leaders committed to advancing rural health and providing quality care for patients and communities gathered to share actionable strategies and resources aimed at improving access to care, leveraging unique workforce approaches, implementing digital technologies and prioritizing health equity.In his&nbsp;<a href="/news/headline/2025-02-24-pollack-kicks-conference-aha-board-chair-shares-vision-future-rural-health-care" target="_blank" title="AHA President Welcome Remarks">welcoming remark</a><a href="/news/headline/2025-02-24-pollack-kicks-conference-aha-board-chair-shares-vision-future-rural-health-care">s</a>, AHA President and CEO Rick Pollack discussed some of the immediate threats to rural hospitals’ well-being due to possible federal budget cuts to Medicaid, the 340B program and site-neutral payment policies.&nbsp; He said, “With so much at stake in the coming weeks and months, it is vital that we continue to face health care challenges together, speaking as one voice to protect the blue and white ‘H’ that is a beacon of hope in every community across the nation.” Tina Freese Decker, president and CEO of Corewell Health in Grand Rapids, Mich., and chair of the AHA Board of Trustees, echoed Pollack’s message of determination and dedication. “We know we can do hard things,” she said. “No matter what happens, we are all in ... because we know our neighbors are counting on us to be there.”Other sessions included an&nbsp;<a href="/news/headline/2025-02-25-aha-rural-advocacy-agenda">update on the latest news from Capitol Hill</a> and a panel discussion on the growing impact of certain&nbsp;<a href="/news/headline/2025-02-25-navigating-impact-growing-medicare-advantage-program-rural-hospitals">Medicare Advantage programs on rural hospitals</a>.Susan Doherty, the AHA’s vice president of field engagement, delivered remarks before the&nbsp;<a href="/news/headline/2025-02-26-2025-aha-rural-health-care-leadership-conference-day-three-roundup">closing session</a>. “Rural health care is not just a profession; it is a calling,” she said. “It is about ensuring that no matter where someone lives, they have access to the quality care they deserve. The mission is not easy, but it is incredibly rewarding.”Register for full access to AHA resources AHA members have access to a wealth of information developed exclusively for their benefit. Accessing members-only content requires registering for an account on&nbsp;<a href="/system/files/media/file/2025/02/How-to-Stay-Informed-and-Get-Connected.pdf">AHA.org</a>.AHA releases 2025 Rural Advocacy Agenda The AHA released its&nbsp;<a href="/rural-advocacy-agenda">2025 Rural Advocacy Agenda</a>, detailing the associations key priorities on behalf of rural hospitals for Congress, the administration, regulatory agencies and courts.Budget reconciliation 101 – fact sheet and video This year, House and Senate Republicans are expected to use the&nbsp;<a href="/fact-sheets/2025-02-07-fact-sheet-budget-reconciliation-101">budget reconciliation process</a> to attempt to pass key agenda items on taxes, energy and border security, and they may look to health measures to pay for this legislation. Reconciliation is a complicated budget tool that gives Congress a fast-track mechanism to avoid the Senate filibuster and pass partisan legislation.Do you know the steps of the reconciliation process? Or the provisions of the Byrd rule? Watch&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uVv3BlL8jwE&amp;t=54s">this video</a> to learn the ins and outs of this quickly moving budgetary process.Call to action: Contact your lawmakers and urge them to extend key health care policiesThis&nbsp;<a href="/action-alert/2025-02-07-contact-your-lawmakers-and-urge-them-extend-key-health-care-policies-set-expire-next-month">Action Alert</a>&nbsp;provides essential resources on key issues — health care extenders, Medicaid, enhanced premium tax credits, so-called site-neutral payment proposals and the 340B Drug Pricing Program — that support your advocacy efforts with your lawmakers.<h2>Events &amp; Education</h2><img data-entity-uuid="01707255-ab4c-4f68-9adf-838885043d3d" data-entity-type="file" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/image_53.png" width="518" height="262"><h2> Features</h2>AHA report examines how growth of Medicare Advantage (MA) heightens challenges for rural hospitals A new&nbsp;<a href="/guidesreports/growing-impact-medicare-advantage-rural-hospitals-across-america">AHA report</a>&nbsp;highlights how some practices by certain Medicare Advantage plans are increasing rural hospitals’ vulnerabilities and threatening access to care in rural communities.The report reveals that rural hospitals are receiving only 90.6% of Traditional Medicare rates on a cost basis from MA plans. Quality of care is also affected, with 81% of rural clinicians reporting declines due to insurer requirements. Rural MA patients face longer hospital stays as well, spending 9.6% more time in the hospital before transitioning to post-acute care compared to similar Traditional Medicare patients. Administrative burdens have also grown, with nearly 4 in 5 rural clinicians reporting an increase in administrative tasks over the past five years, and 86% saying these demands have negatively impacted patient outcomes.<h2>Tools &amp; Resources</h2>Resources to protect rural hospitals from cyberthreatsRural hospitals’ limited access to technology, staff and financial resources constrains their ability to defend against the malicious actors behind today’s ever-escalating cyberattacks, writes John Riggi, AHA national advisor for cybersecurity and risk, in a new&nbsp;<a href="/news/aha-cyber-intel/2025-02-18-resources-protect-americas-rural-hospitals-cyberthreats">blog</a> on protecting rural hospitals from cyberthreats. The blog includes several resources, including details on the Microsoft Cybersecurity Program for Rural Hospitals, a program by the AHA and Microsoft that includes free and heavily discounted cybersecurity services. The program also includes nonprofit pricing for qualifying critical access hospitals on Microsoft enterprise licenses.<h2>Grants &amp; Awards</h2>Congratulations to the 2024 Rural Hospital Leadership Team Award winner and finalistsThe AHA&nbsp;<a href="/press-releases/2025-02-18-aha-names-2025-rural-hospital-leadership-team-award-winner-and-finalists">announced&nbsp;</a>the team from Columbia Memorial Hospital, a critical access hospital in Astoria, Ore., is the 2024 recipient of the Rural Hospital Leadership Team Award. The award recognizes rural hospital leaders who guide their hospitals and communities through change and innovation.&nbsp; Also recognized as finalists were teams at Atrium Health Lincoln in Lincoln, N.C.; Schneck Medical Center in Seymour, Ind.; and Summit Pacific Medical Center in Elma, Wash.&nbsp; The award was presented Feb. 23 at the 38th annual AHA Rural Health Care Leadership Conference in San Antonio.<h2>Rural Health Services</h2>AHA ensures the unique needs of our members are a national priority. Location, size, workforce, payment and access to capital challenge small or rural hospitals and the communities they serve. AHA Rural Health Services tracks the issues, develops policies and identifies solutions to our most pressing problems. We do this through:<ul><li>Representation and advocacy in Washington, D.C.</li><li>Communication and education.</li><li>Executive leadership and technical assistance.</li><li>Grants, tools, and resources.</li></ul>For more details, visit our website at<a href="/advocacy/rural-health-services">&nbsp;AHA Rural Health Services&nbsp;</a>or contact:&nbsp;-Susan Doherty, AHA Vice President, Field Engagement (<a href="mailto:sdoherty@aha.org" target="_blank" title="Susan Doherty email ">sdoherty@aha.org</a>) -Travis Robey, AHA Vice President, Political Affairs (<a href="mailto:trobey@aha.org" target="_blank" title="Travis Robey email">trobey@aha.org</a>) -Shannon Wu, AHA Senior Associate Director, Payment Policy (<a href="mailto:swu@aha.org" title="Shannon Wu email">swu@aha.org</a>)&nbsp;</div></div></div> Thu, 03 Apr 2025 13:41:07 -0500 Rural Health Update Rural Health News Update January 2025 <div class="container"><div class="row"><div class="col-md-8"><img src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/aha-logo-small-header.png" data-entity-uuid="0a3f954c-34fd-4faa-8f13-d31245d1d41f" data-entity-type="file" alt="Small AHA Logo Header" width="128" height="48" class="align-center"><img src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/rural-health-icon_1.jpg" data-entity-uuid="248e96f2-a7da-403f-835e-93ccca7b07d7" data-entity-type="file" alt="Rural Health Image" width="600" height="45" class="align-center"><h2 class="text-align-center">NEWS UPDATE</h2>January 2025Your guide to the latest rural health news and resourcesThe following is a compilation of recent news from the AHA and the Rural Health Services team, whose focus is to ensure rural hospitals’ and health systems’ unique needs are national priorities.<img src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/image_9.png" data-entity-uuid="ccd6cbce-9947-4c0f-9732-6c6052160b3d" data-entity-type="file" alt="AHA Rural Advocacy Alliance Logo" width="571" height="84">&nbsp;AHA Releases 2025 Advocacy Agenda The AHA released its&nbsp;<a href="/news/headline/2025-01-16-aha-releases-2025-advocacy-agenda" target="_blank" title="2025 AHA Advocacy Agenda">2025 Advocacy Agenda</a>&nbsp;on Jan. 15, detailing the association's key priorities for Congress, the administration, regulatory agencies and courts.The AHA has also launched a new&nbsp;<a href="/news/headline/2025-01-13-aha-ad-campaign-highlights-how-hospitals-are-always-ready-care" target="_blank" title="AHA TV and Multimedia advertising campaign">television and multimedia advertising campaign</a>&nbsp;to highlight how hospitals and health systems are there for all of life’s moments, 24/7/365!AHA Releases 2025-2027 Strategic Plan On Jan. 9, the AHA released the&nbsp;<a href="/ahas-2025-2027-strategic-plan" target="_blank" title="AHA 2025-2027 Strategic Plan">2025-2027 Strategic Plan</a>.&nbsp;The plan includes nine principles that serve as the foundation of the AHA’s work and strategies to help the field make progress on its mission of advancing health in America, including those in rural and frontier areas.&nbsp;<h2>Events &amp; Education</h2><img src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/image_51.png" data-entity-uuid="b5dfac18-0a45-420f-b237-7d43216310bc" data-entity-type="file" alt="Image of 2025 AHA Rural Health Care Leadership Conference Banner" width="491" height="248" class="align-center"> Register for the 2025 AHA Rural Health Care Leadership Conference&nbsp;<a href="https://ruralconference.aha.org/registration">here.</a>For more information:<ul><li><a href="https://ruralconference.aha.org/" target="_blank" title="Federal Rural Conference Sessions">Featured Rural Conference Sessions</a></li><li><a href="https://ruralconference.aha.org/program/governance-programming" target="_blank" title="Rural Governance Programming">Rural Governance Programming</a></li><li><a href="https://web.cvent.com/event/aafd2f0d-7c22-4056-a9b1-edf662686845/websitePage:43508fc0-e5ef-41be-9d0d-e8e38af6f1ee" target="_blank" title="Speaker Profiles">Speaker Profiles&nbsp;</a></li></ul><img src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/image_52.png" data-entity-uuid="812a0184-5649-4935-be32-68a2efa3336f" data-entity-type="file" width="652" height="368" class="align-center"><h2>Features</h2>AHA Rural Health Services Committee The AHA Rural Health Services Committee meets three times per year and provides policy perspective to the AHA leadership and board. Committee members come from a cross section of the rural membership, including representatives from the nine AHA regions.The current chair of the committee is Julie Yaroch, D.O., president, ProMedica Charles and Virginia Hickman Hospital in Adrian, Mich., and the chair-elect is Lynn Falcone, CEO, Cuero Regional Hospital in Cuero, Texas.Members of the committee starting a new term include:David Brash, CEO, Logan Regional Medical Center, Logan, W.Va. Jeffery Dial, president, ECU Health Duplin Hospital, Kenansville, N.C. Soniya Fidler, president, UCHealth Yampa Valley Medical Center, Steamboat Springs, Colo. Lari Gooding, CEO, Allendale County Hospital, Fairfax, S.C. Karla Hardesty, board chair, San Luis Valley Health, Alamosa, Colo. Daniel Ireland, president and COO, Finger Lakes Rural Hospitals, Batavia, N.Y. Cody Langbehn, CEO, Central Montana Medical Center, Lewistown, Mont. Holly McCormack, president and CEO, Cottage Hospital, Woodsville, N.H. Angela Mortoza, CEO, Dallas County Hospital, Perry, Iowa.Community Partnerships: Advancing Behavioral Health Access in Rural Communities Health care leaders from two neighboring rural Colorado counties formed separate grassroots movements in their communities to boost access to behavioral health. As suicide rates, addiction and other behavioral health needs soared in Eagle County, Colo., and adjacent Summit County, local leaders collaborated to shape local policy, raise funding and cooperate with local nonprofit organizations to fill gaps in care. <a href="/case-studies/2022-07-08-community-partnerships-advancing-behavioral-health-access-rural-communities" target="_blank" title="Community Partnerships Stories">READ NOW</a><h2>Tools &amp; Resources</h2>Top AI Use Cases with Rapid ROI Potential Many top AI use cases across administrative solutions, revenue cycle management, operational and clinical applications can deliver return on investment in a year or less. Examples include:ADMINISTRATIVE | Improve claims denial prevention.&nbsp; Although this application requires a high level of expertise to deploy, users can better predict which claims are likely to be denied based on diagnosis, treatment and insurance plan. Providers also will be able to identify inconsistencies, missing codes and duplicate entries.<a href="/case-studies/2022-07-08-community-partnerships-advancing-behavioral-health-access-rural-communities">CLINICAL</a> | Optimize operating room and procedure time.&nbsp; AI-driven algorithms for scheduling, predicting case duration and streamlining resource allocation, as well as in pre-operative medicine, can help redefine OR efficiency and patient care. AI-powered OR management solutions can improve resource allocation, patient outcomes and staff satisfaction. Hospitals can better predict case duration and cancellation, optimize post-anesthesia care unit resources and improve patient outcomes.<a href="/case-studies/2022-07-08-community-partnerships-advancing-behavioral-health-access-rural-communities">OPERATIONAL </a>| Leverage supply chain data to enhance cost management.&nbsp; This application also requires a high level of expertise, but within a year or less providers will be able to capture true case costs, provide accurate cost variance analysis as well as procedure and inventory demand intelligence, and identify expensive supplies that have been recalled or expired.PATIENT ACCESS | Streamline discharge planning.&nbsp; Although it may take a year or more before achieving ROI impact, this AI application will allow your organization to generate discharge summaries, translate medical information into a patient-friendly format, predict length of stay and identify readmission risks.<a href="/center/emerging-issues/market-insights/ai/building-and-implementing-artificial-intelligence-action-plan-health-care" target="_blank" title="Building and Implementing an Artificial Intelligence Action Plan for Health Care">Download the full report</a> to examine many more use case analyses in areas like: • Cybersecurity. • Capacity planning and management. • Pre-visit planning. • Personalizing care and treatment plans. • Reducing medical errors.COMMENTS? Contact Bob Kehoe at <a href="mailto:rkehoe@aha.org" target="_blank">rkehoe@aha.org</a><h2>Grants &amp; Awards</h2>CMS Announces States to Participate in Maternal Health Model On Jan. 6, the Centers for Medicare &amp; Medicaid Services announced the <a href="/news/headline/2025-01-06-cms-announces-states-participate-maternal-health-model" target="_blank" title="List of 15 participants to participate in the Transforming Maternal Health Model">15 participants</a> for its state Transforming Maternal Health Model. The model will provide technical support and resources to state Medicaid agencies to develop programs that address new mothers’ physical health, mental health and social needs during pregnancy and postpartum.<h2>Rural Health Services</h2>AHA ensures the unique needs of our members are a national priority. Location, size, workforce, payment and access to capital challenge small or rural hospitals and the communities they serve. AHA Rural Health Services tracks the issues, develops policies and identifies solutions to our most pressing problems. We do this through:<ul><li>Representation and advocacy in Washington, D.C.</li><li>Communication and education.</li><li>Executive leadership and technical assistance.</li><li>Grants, tools, and resources.</li></ul>For more details, visit our website at<a href="/advocacy/rural-health-services">&nbsp;AHA Rural Health Services&nbsp;</a>or contact:&nbsp;-Susan Doherty, AHA Vice President, Field Engagement (<a href="mailto:sdoherty@aha.org" target="_blank" title="Susan Doherty email ">sdoherty@aha.org</a>) -Travis Robey, AHA Vice President, Political Affairs (<a href="mailto:trobey@aha.org" target="_blank" title="Travis Robey email">trobey@aha.org</a>) -Shannon Wu, AHA Senior Associate Director, Payment Policy (<a href="mailto:swu@aha.org" title="Shannon Wu email">swu@aha.org</a>)&nbsp;</div></div></div> Thu, 03 Apr 2025 12:06:00 -0500 Rural Health Update Rural Health News Update March 2025 <div class="container"><div class="row"><div class="col-md-8"><img src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/aha-logo-small-header.png" data-entity-uuid="0a3f954c-34fd-4faa-8f13-d31245d1d41f" data-entity-type="file" alt="Small AHA Logo Header" width="128" height="48" class="align-center"><img src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/rural-health-icon_1.jpg" data-entity-uuid="248e96f2-a7da-403f-835e-93ccca7b07d7" data-entity-type="file" alt="Rural Health Image" width="600" height="45" class="align-center"><h2 class="text-align-center">NEWS UPDATE</h2>March 2025Your guide to the latest rural health news and resourcesThe following is a compilation of recent news from the AHA and the Rural Health Services team, whose focus is to ensure rural hospitals’ and health systems’ unique needs are national priorities.<img src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/image_9.png" data-entity-uuid="ccd6cbce-9947-4c0f-9732-6c6052160b3d" data-entity-type="file" alt="AHA Rural Advocacy Alliance Logo" width="571" height="84">&nbsp;House bill reintroduced extending Medicare-dependent hospital and low-volume adjustment programsThe AHA has voiced support for the&nbsp;<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1hkKfqOreDeQl1odhv-6b-eS-K7jpUodh/view">Assistance for Rural Community Hospitals Act</a>,&nbsp;legislation reintroduced on March 3 by Reps. Carol Miller, R-W.Va., and Terri Sewell, D-Ala., that would extend the Medicare-dependent hospital and low-volume adjustment programs for five years each.“These payments allow MDHs greater financial stability and leave them better able to serve their patients and communities,”&nbsp;<a href="/lettercomment/2025-03-04-aha-comments-assistance-rural-community-hospitals-act-hr-1805">AHA wrote in comments</a> to Miller and Sewell. “The current, improved low-volume adjustment better accounts for the relationship between cost and volume, helps level the playing field for low-volume providers, and improves access to care in rural areas.”House and Senate pass continuing resolution funding government, averting shutdownThe Senate voted 54-46 March 14 to pass a continuing resolution to fund the government through Sept. 30 and avoid a government shutdown. The House of Representatives March 11 passed the Full-year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act of 2025 (<a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/1968">H.R. 1968</a>) by a vote of 217-213. Some of the health care provisions in the bill include Medicaid disproportionate share hospital relief and extensions of the Medicare dependent-hospital and enhanced low-volume adjustment programs, physician payment&nbsp;work geographic index floor, rural ambulance add-on and Medicare telehealth payments, among others. AHA sent a&nbsp;<a href="/special-bulletin/2025-03-14-house-and-senate-pass-continuing-resolution-funding-government-averting-shutdown">Special Bulletin</a> March 14 with more details.Register for full access to AHA resourcesAHA members have access to a wealth of information developed exclusively for their benefit. Accessing members-only content requires registering for an account on AHA.org.&nbsp;Go to&nbsp;<a href="/system/files/media/file/2025/02/How-to-Stay-Informed-and-Get-Connected.pdf">AHA Member Access</a>&nbsp;to register.&nbsp;AHA releases 2025 Rural Advocacy AgendaThe AHA released its&nbsp;<a href="/rural-advocacy-agenda">2025 Rural Advocacy Agenda</a>, detailing the association’s key priorities on behalf of rural hospitals for Congress, the administration, regulatory agencies and courts.&nbsp;HHS rescinds long-standing Richardson Waiver policy on public participationThe Department of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/03/03/2025-03300/policy-on-adhering-to-the-text-of-the-administrative-procedure-act">Health and Human Services Feb. 28 announced</a> that it is rescinding its Nixon-era policy on inviting public participation when making rules and regulations related to public property, loans, grants, benefits or contracts.“The extra-statutory obligations of the Richardson Waiver impose costs on the Department and the public, are contrary to the efficient operation of the Department, and impede the Department’s flexibility to adapt quickly to legal and policy mandates,” the notice said.The department will now follow a notice-and-comment process only as required by the Administrative Procedure Act, which exempts rules related to public property, loans, grants, benefits or contracts from the law’s notice-and-comment requirements.Call to action: Continue the drumbeatA recent&nbsp;<a href="/action-alert/2025-02-07-contact-your-lawmakers-and-urge-them-extend-key-health-care-policies-set-expire-next-month">AHA Action Alert</a> provided essential resources on key issues, such as health care extenders,&nbsp;<a href="/fact-sheets/2025-02-07-fact-sheet-medicaid">Medicaid</a>, <a href="/fact-sheets/2025-02-07-fact-sheet-enhanced-premium-tax-credits">enhanced premium tax credits</a>,&nbsp;<a href="/advocacy/advocacy-issues/2023-09-11-advocacy-issue-site-neutral-payment-proposals">so-called site-neutral payment proposals</a> and the&nbsp;<a href="/340b-drug-savings-program">340B Drug Pricing Program.</a> Please continue your advocacy efforts with your members of Congress.&nbsp;<h2>Events &amp; Education</h2>Attend the 2025 AHA Annual Membership Meeting May 4-6Join us in Washington, D.C. May 4-6 for insightful conversations with policymakers, legislators and thought leaders on the most pressing issues facing our field. You’ll connect with the decision makers who create, shape and implement health care policy and influence the political landscape.&nbsp;<a href="/education-events/2025-aha-annual-membership-meeting">REGISTER NOW.</a><img src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/image_40.png" data-entity-uuid="2fae1769-65e6-4006-951a-708cd8ec3e81" data-entity-type="file" width="518" height="262"><h2>Features</h2>AHA report examines how growth of Medicare Advantage (MA) heightens challenges for rural hospitalsA new&nbsp;<a href="/guidesreports/growing-impact-medicare-advantage-rural-hospitals-across-america">AHA report</a>&nbsp;highlights how some practices by certain Medicare Advantage plans are increasing rural hospitals’ vulnerabilities and threatening access to care in rural communities.The report reveals that rural hospitals are receiving only 90.6% of Traditional Medicare rates on a cost basis from MA plans. Quality of care also is affected, with 81% of rural clinicians reporting declines due to insurer requirements. Rural MA patients face longer hospital stays as well, spending 9.6% more time in the hospital before transitioning to post-acute care compared to similar Traditional Medicare patients. Administrative burdens also have grown, with nearly 4 in 5 rural clinicians reporting an increase in administrative tasks over the past five years, and 86% saying these demands have negatively impacted patient outcomes.<h2>Tools &amp; Resources</h2>More administrative actions added to AHA trackerMembers have access to&nbsp;<a href="/system/files/media/file/2025/01/2025-New-Executive-Orders-20250127.pdf">AHA's executive order tracker</a>, which documents executive orders and other administrative actions on many issues for hospitals and health systems. The AHA continues to update the tracker regularly as new actions are released.Resources to protect rural hospitals from cyberthreatsRural hospitals’ limited access to technology, staff and financial resources constrains their ability to defend against the malicious actors behind today’s ever-escalating cyberattacks, writes John Riggi, AHA national advisor for cybersecurity and risk, in a new blog on&nbsp;<a href="/news/aha-cyber-intel/2025-02-18-resources-protect-americas-rural-hospitals-cyberthreats">protecting rural hospitals from cyberthreats</a>. The blog includes several resources, including details on the Microsoft Cybersecurity Program for Rural Hospitals, a program by the AHA and Microsoft that includes free and heavily discounted cybersecurity services. The program also includes nonprofit pricing for qualifying critical access hospitals on Microsoft enterprise licenses.Justin Spelhaug, corporate vice president and global head of Tech for Social Impact at Microsoft Philanthropies, joined Riggi for a two-part podcast (<a href="/advancing-health-podcast/2025-03-10-critical-condition-cybersecurity-rural-hospitals-microsoft-part-1">part one</a>; <a href="/advancing-health-podcast/2025-03-12-critical-condition-cybersecurity-rural-hospitals-microsoft-part-2">part two</a>) to discuss the unique vulnerabilities rural hospitals face, the latest cyberthreats and actionable strategies to strengthen defenses.<h2>Rural Health Services</h2>AHA ensures the unique needs of our members are a national priority. Location, size, workforce, payment and access to capital challenge small or rural hospitals and the communities they serve. AHA Rural Health Services tracks the issues, develops policies and identifies solutions to our most pressing problems. We do this through:<ul><li>Representation and advocacy in Washington, D.C.</li><li>Communication and education.</li><li>Executive leadership and technical assistance.</li><li>Grants, tools, and resources.</li></ul>For more details, visit our website at<a href="/advocacy/rural-health-services">&nbsp;AHA Rural Health Services&nbsp;</a>or contact:&nbsp;-Susan Doherty, AHA Vice President, Field Engagement (<a href="mailto:sdoherty@aha.org" target="_blank" title="Susan Doherty email ">sdoherty@aha.org</a>) -Travis Robey, AHA Vice President, Political Affairs (<a href="mailto:trobey@aha.org" target="_blank" title="Travis Robey email">trobey@aha.org</a>) -Shannon Wu, AHA Senior Associate Director, Payment Policy (<a href="mailto:swu@aha.org" title="Shannon Wu email">swu@aha.org</a>)&nbsp;</div></div></div> Sun, 30 Mar 2025 22:29:22 -0500 Rural Health Update Rural Health News Update February 2025 <div class="container"><div class="row"><div class="col-md-8"><img src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/aha-logo-small-header.png" data-entity-uuid="0a3f954c-34fd-4faa-8f13-d31245d1d41f" data-entity-type="file" alt="Small AHA Logo Header" width="128" height="48" class="align-center"><img src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/rural-health-icon_1.jpg" data-entity-uuid="248e96f2-a7da-403f-835e-93ccca7b07d7" data-entity-type="file" alt="Rural Health Image" width="600" height="45" class="align-center"><h2 class="text-align-center">NEWS UPDATE</h2>February 2025Your guide to the latest rural health news and resourcesThe following is a compilation of recent news from the AHA and the Rural Health Services team, whose focus is to ensure rural hospitals’ and health systems’ unique needs are national priorities.<img src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/image_9.png" data-entity-uuid="ccd6cbce-9947-4c0f-9732-6c6052160b3d" data-entity-type="file" alt="AHA Rural Advocacy Alliance Logo" width="571" height="84">&nbsp;Report from the 2025 AHA Rural Health Care Leadership ConferenceThe 2025 AHA Rural Health Care Leadership Conference took place Feb. 23-26 in San Antonio. More than 1,200 rural heath leaders committed to advancing rural health and providing quality care for patients and communities gathered to share actionable strategies and resources aimed at improving access to care, leveraging unique workforce approaches, implementing digital technologies and prioritizing health equity.In his&nbsp;<a href="/news/headline/2025-02-24-pollack-kicks-conference-aha-board-chair-shares-vision-future-rural-health-care">welcoming remarks</a>, AHA President and CEO Rick Pollack discussed some of the immediate threats to rural hospitals’ well-being due to possible federal budget cuts to Medicaid, the 340B program and site-neutral payment policies.&nbsp; He said, “With so much at stake in the coming weeks and months, it is vital that we continue to face health care challenges together, speaking as one voice to protect the blue and white ‘H’ that is a beacon of hope in every community across the nation.” Tina Freese Decker, president and CEO of Corewell Health in Grand Rapids, Mich., and chair of the AHA Board of Trustees, echoed Pollack’s message of determination and dedication. “We know we can do hard things,” she said. “No matter what happens, we are all in ... because we know our neighbors are counting on us to be there.”Other sessions included an&nbsp;<a href="/news/headline/2025-02-25-aha-rural-advocacy-agenda">update on the latest news from Capitol Hill</a> and a panel discussion on the growing impact of certain&nbsp;<a href="/news/headline/2025-02-25-navigating-impact-growing-medicare-advantage-program-rural-hospitals">Medicare Advantage programs on rural hospitals</a>.Susan Doherty, the AHA’s vice president of field engagement, delivered remarks before the&nbsp;<a href="/news/headline/2025-02-26-2025-aha-rural-health-care-leadership-conference-day-three-roundup">closing session</a>. “Rural health care is not just a profession; it is a calling,” she said. “It is about ensuring that no matter where someone lives, they have access to the quality care they deserve. The mission is not easy, but it is incredibly rewarding.”Register for full access to AHA resourcesAHA members have access to a wealth of information developed exclusively for their benefit. Accessing members-only content requires registering for an account on&nbsp;<a href="/system/files/media/file/2025/02/How-to-Stay-Informed-and-Get-Connected.pdf">AHA.org</a>.AHA releases 2025 Rural Advocacy AgendaThe AHA released its&nbsp;<a href="/rural-advocacy-agenda">2025 Rural Advocacy Agenda</a>, detailing the associations key priorities on behalf of rural hospitals for Congress, the administration, regulatory agencies and courts.Budget reconciliation 101 – fact sheet and videoThis year, House and Senate Republicans are expected to use the&nbsp;<a href="/fact-sheets/2025-02-07-fact-sheet-budget-reconciliation-101">budget reconciliation process</a> to attempt to pass key agenda items on taxes, energy and border security, and they may look to health measures to pay for this legislation. Reconciliation is a complicated budget tool that gives Congress a fast-track mechanism to avoid the Senate filibuster and pass partisan legislation.Do you know the steps of the reconciliation process? Or the provisions of the Byrd rule? Watch&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uVv3BlL8jwE&amp;t=54s">this video</a> to learn the ins and outs of this quickly moving budgetary process.Call to action: Contact your lawmakers and urge them to extend key health care policiesThis&nbsp;<a href="/action-alert/2025-02-07-contact-your-lawmakers-and-urge-them-extend-key-health-care-policies-set-expire-next-month">Action Alert</a>&nbsp;provides essential resources on key issues — health care extenders, Medicaid, enhanced premium tax credits, so-called site-neutral payment proposals and the 340B Drug Pricing Program — that support your advocacy efforts with your lawmakers<h2>Events &amp; Education</h2><img src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/image_40.png" data-entity-uuid="2fae1769-65e6-4006-951a-708cd8ec3e81" data-entity-type="file" width="518" height="262"><h2>Features</h2>AHA report examines how growth of Medicare Advantage (MA) heightens challenges for rural hospitalsA new&nbsp;<a href="/guidesreports/growing-impact-medicare-advantage-rural-hospitals-across-america">AHA report</a>&nbsp;highlights how some practices by certain Medicare Advantage plans are increasing rural hospitals’ vulnerabilities and threatening access to care in rural communities. The report reveals that rural hospitals are receiving only 90.6% of Traditional Medicare rates on a cost basis from MA plans. Quality of care is also affected, with 81% of rural clinicians reporting declines due to insurer requirements. Rural MA patients face longer hospital stays as well, spending 9.6% more time in the hospital before transitioning to post-acute care compared to similar Traditional Medicare patients. Administrative burdens have also grown, with nearly 4 in 5 rural clinicians reporting an increase in administrative tasks over the past five years, and 86% saying these demands have negatively impacted patient outcomes.<h2>Tools &amp; Resources</h2>Resources to protect rural hospitals from cyberthreatsRural hospitals’ limited access to technology, staff and financial resources constrains their ability to defend against the malicious actors behind today’s ever-escalating cyberattacks, writes John Riggi, AHA national advisor for cybersecurity and risk, in a new&nbsp;<a href="/news/aha-cyber-intel/2025-02-18-resources-protect-americas-rural-hospitals-cyberthreats">blog</a> on protecting rural hospitals from cyberthreats. The blog includes several resources, including details on the Microsoft Cybersecurity Program for Rural Hospitals, a program by the AHA and Microsoft that includes free and heavily discounted cybersecurity services. The program also includes nonprofit pricing for qualifying critical access hospitals on Microsoft enterprise licenses.<h2>Grants &amp; Awards</h2>Congratulations to the 2024 Rural Hospital Leadership Team Award winner and finalistsThe AHA&nbsp;<a href="/press-releases/2025-02-18-aha-names-2025-rural-hospital-leadership-team-award-winner-and-finalists">announced&nbsp;</a>the team from Columbia Memorial Hospital, a critical access hospital in Astoria, Ore., is the 2024 recipient of the Rural Hospital Leadership Team Award. The award recognizes rural hospital leaders who guide their hospitals and communities through change and innovation.&nbsp;Also recognized as finalists were teams at Atrium Health Lincoln in Lincoln, N.C.; Schneck Medical Center in Seymour, Ind.; and Summit Pacific Medical Center in Elma, Wash.&nbsp;The award was presented Feb. 23 at the 38th annual AHA Rural Health Care Leadership Conference in San Antonio.<h2>Rural Health Services</h2>AHA ensures the unique needs of our members are a national priority. Location, size, workforce, payment and access to capital challenge small or rural hospitals and the communities they serve. AHA Rural Health Services tracks the issues, develops policies and identifies solutions to our most pressing problems. We do this through:<ul><li>Representation and advocacy in Washington, D.C.</li><li>Communication and education.</li><li>Executive leadership and technical assistance.</li><li>Grants, tools, and resources.</li></ul>For more details, visit our website at<a href="/advocacy/rural-health-services">&nbsp;AHA Rural Health Services&nbsp;</a>or contact:&nbsp;-Susan Doherty, AHA Vice President, Field Engagement (<a href="mailto:sdoherty@aha.org" target="_blank" title="Susan Doherty email ">sdoherty@aha.org</a>) -Travis Robey, AHA Vice President, Political Affairs (<a href="mailto:trobey@aha.org" target="_blank" title="Travis Robey email">trobey@aha.org</a>) -Shannon Wu, AHA Senior Associate Director, Payment Policy (<a href="mailto:swu@aha.org" title="Shannon Wu email">swu@aha.org</a>)&nbsp;</div></div></div> Fri, 28 Feb 2025 22:12:56 -0600 Rural Health Update Rural Health News Update November and December 2024 <div class="container"><div class="row"><div class="col-md-8"><img src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/aha-logo-small-header.png" data-entity-uuid="0a3f954c-34fd-4faa-8f13-d31245d1d41f" data-entity-type="file" alt="Small AHA Logo Header" width="128" height="48" class="align-center"><img src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/rural-health-icon_1.jpg" data-entity-uuid="248e96f2-a7da-403f-835e-93ccca7b07d7" data-entity-type="file" alt="Rural Health Image" width="600" height="45" class="align-center"><h2 class="text-align-center">NEWS UPDATE</h2>November and December 2024 Issue &nbsp;<img src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/image_19.png" data-entity-uuid="b9059513-d3d8-4b1f-b354-a796f20f137e" data-entity-type="file" alt="National Rural Health Day Logo" width="260" height="167" class="align-left">AHA celebrated National Rural Health Day on Nov. 21! Throughout the week of Nov. 18-22, AHA and others shined a light on the remarkable #PowerOfRural and showed appreciation for those who tirelessly champion rural health. Thank you to all who joined the weeklong celebration and who work every day to advance health in rural communities. AHA shared several new rural assets, including a&nbsp;message from the&nbsp;<a href="/news/chairpersons-file/2024-11-11-chair-file-celebrating-power-rural-and-keeping-rural-hospitals-strong">AHA Chair</a>, a&nbsp;<a href="/advancing-health-podcast/2024-11-20-navigating-rural-health-care-solutions-attracting-talent-and-caring-community">podcast</a>, a&nbsp;<a href="/news/blog/2024-11-22-creating-culture-connection-combating-isolation-and-loneliness-health-care-workforce">blog post</a> and more.&nbsp;Remember, it’s not just a day, it’s a movement!&nbsp;<a href="/national-rural-health-day">LEARN MORE</a><img src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/image_21.png" data-entity-uuid="881dbd3c-2719-4c66-aa07-abbd3d0f44dc" data-entity-type="file" alt="AHA Rural Advocacy Alliance Banner" width="692" height="138">AHA urges Congress to act on key priorities for hospitals before end of year.&nbsp;In&nbsp;<a href="/2024-11-12-aha-urges-congress-act-key-priorities-lame-duck-session">Nov. 12 comments</a> to majority and minority leaders of the House and Senate, AHA requested Congress act on key priorities for hospitals and health systems before the end of 2024. These include expanding telehealth and hospital-at-home waivers; rejecting site-neutral payment proposals; continuing the Medicare-dependent Hospitals and Low-volume Adjustment programs that expire Dec. 31; and enacting a technical correction to&nbsp;remove barriers for&nbsp;rural emergency hospitals&nbsp;to&nbsp;receive hospital-level reimbursement for outpatient services under Medicaid.DEA and HHS&nbsp;extend waivers prescribing controlled substances through&nbsp;telemedicine. As urged by the AHA,&nbsp;the Drug Enforcement Administration and Department of Health and Human Services on Nov. 15 published a rule to extend waiver flexibilities for prescribing controlled substances via telemedicine.&nbsp;Read the Nov. 18&nbsp;<a href="/special-bulletin/2024-11-18-dea-and-hhs-extend-waivers-prescribing-controlled-substances-through-telemedicine">AHA Special Bulletin</a> for more information.AHA-supported bipartisan letter calling for prevention of Medicaid DSH cuts signed by 182 members of Congress.&nbsp;A&nbsp;<a href="/system/files/media/file/2024/12/final-medicaid-dsh-letter-12-9-2024.pdf">House Dear Colleague letter</a> calling on House leadership to address scheduled Medicaid Disproportionate Share Hospital payment cuts received signatures from 182 bipartisan members of Congress. The letter was circulated by Reps. Dan Crenshaw, R-Texas, Yvette Clarke, D-N.Y., Gus Bilirakis, R-Fla., and Diana DeGette, D-Colo. The cuts total $8 billion and are scheduled to take effect Jan. 1, 2025. The AHA has asked Congress to provide relief from the reductions. Read the Dec. 2&nbsp;<a href="/action-alert/2024-12-02-urgent-ask-your-lawmaker-prevent-medicaid-dsh-payment-cuts">AHA Action Alert</a>&nbsp;asking lawmakers to prevent Medicaid DSH payment cuts.AHA calls on Congress to address addiction treatment barriers. The AHA&nbsp;<a href="/lettercomment/2024-11-20-aha-urges-congress-address-addiction-treatment-barriers">asked</a>&nbsp;Congress to consider a series of actions to eliminate barriers to addiction treatment. In&nbsp;<a href="/lettercomment/2024-11-20-aha-urges-congress-address-addiction-treatment-barriers">Nov. 20 comments</a> to Reps. Paul Tonko, D-N.Y., and Mike Turner, R-Ohio, the AHA urged Congress to bolster reimbursements for behavioral health providers; repeal the institution for mental diseases exclusion; remove the 190-day lifetime limit of inpatient care in a psychiatric hospital; repeal the in-person telehealth requirement for behavioral health; and strengthen the health care workforce, among other recommendations.CMS issues proposed contract year 2026 Medicare Advantage rule.&nbsp;The Centers for Medicare &amp; Medicaid Services Nov. 26 released its proposed Policy and Technical Changes to the Medicare Advantage, Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit Program, Medicare Cost Plan Program, and Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly for contract year 2026. The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/public-inspection/2024-27939/medicare-and-medicaid-programs-contract-year-2026-policy-and-technical-changes-to-the-medicare">proposed rule</a> would increase oversight of Medicare Advantage plans and strengthen prior rulemaking that sought to better align coverage and access under MA with Traditional Medicare.&nbsp;Read the Nov. 27&nbsp;<a href="/special-bulletin/2024-11-27-special-bulletin-cms-issues-proposed-rule-cy-2026-medicare-advantage-prescription-drug-plans">AHA Special Bulletin</a> for more information.AHA seeks hospital input on impact of 340B rebate policy; complete survey by Dec. 16. AHA urges 340B members to complete a brief survey to help the association understand how a 340B rebate model — such as the one Johnson &amp; Johnson sought to implement this year — would impact 340B member hospitals. Please complete this&nbsp;<a href="https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=QJMRube-Xk6EsjzBj3s2pk5u3Q9OmydJsgDqql0z_MVUOE05UkUwNjIyR0dQUEFaSlRIQ1I0SEpDTS4u&amp;mkt_tok=NzEwLVpMTC02NTEAAAGXLViWrOmwRlbimetGVThaH9p1lntLwVJ7PrD3Fhqi1otq6BhhOy-32QgONYjQTQUPiSBJTbMmClg3IG0n2JzLPDtbSL49Vpmnk7VCRE3taD0k4w">10-question survey</a> to help AHA understand the financial, operational and patient impacts that a rebate model would have on your hospital or health system. Individual hospital or system data will be kept confidential, unless a member specifically authorizes the AHA to use them. Only aggregate responses/data may be shared externally.&nbsp;Survey feedback due by Dec. 16.<h2>Events and Education</h2><img src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/image_23.png" data-entity-uuid="85649a09-9a81-4a5f-81d7-132567a7f5d3" data-entity-type="file" width="664" height="344" alt="AHA Rural Health Care Leadership Conference Banner">Register soon for early-bird savings at the 2025 AHA Rural Health Care Leadership Conference. This annual conference takes place Feb. 23-26 in San Antonio. Rural hospital CEOs and senior executives, clinical leaders and trustees will share strategies and resources to tackle rural health challenges and discuss innovative approaches to transform care delivery and business practices. Learn how to receive free registration by attending the&nbsp;<a href="https://ruralconference.aha.org/program/hosted-buyer">Hosted Buyer Forum</a>. Early-bird pricing ends Dec. 20.&nbsp;<a href="https://ruralconference.aha.org/registration?utm_source=newsletter-ruralservices&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=2025-Rural-Registration">REGISTER NOW</a>Apply for AHA’s Next Generation Leaders Fellowship.&nbsp;This program — which matches fellows with health care mentors who help them plan and execute a yearlong capstone project — helps emerging leaders address challenges affecting health care affordability, cost, quality and safety. Applications due by March 31, 2025.&nbsp;<a href="/center/next-generation-leaders-fellowship">APPLY NOW</a>AHA blog: Creating a Culture of Connection — Combating Isolation and Loneliness in the Health Care Workforce.&nbsp;After noticing widespread loneliness among rural hospital staff, Margo Karsten, president of Banner Health Western Region and AHA Policy Board member, was inspired to cultivate a culture of connection in the workplace. She helped launch regular team member panel discussions that focused on sharing and well-being, creating a safe space for employees to be vulnerable, express personal stories of struggle and access resources.&nbsp;<a href="/news/blog/2024-11-22-creating-culture-connection-combating-isolation-and-loneliness-health-care-workforce">READ MORE</a>AHA podcast: Navigating Rural Health Care — Solutions for Attracting Talent and Caring for the Community.&nbsp;In this conversation, Joanne M. Conroy, M.D., CEO and president of Dartmouth Health and 2024 chair of the AHA Board of Trustees, shares how Dartmouth Health has implemented workforce solutions that can be successful anywhere.&nbsp;<a href="/advancing-health-podcast/2024-11-20-navigating-rural-health-care-solutions-attracting-talent-and-caring-community">LISTEN NOW</a><h2>Tools and Resources</h2>Sepsis Champions Leadership Series.&nbsp;Hospital and health system sepsis teams are invited to participate in this collaborative facilitated by the AHA’s Living Learning Network in partnership with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Monthly sessions aim to improve sepsis care by offering peer-to-peer sharing, best practices and expert guidance on enhancing sepsis prevention, detection and management.&nbsp;<a href="https://aha-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUpc-yhrTgiH918ht8PubsxtENuyUhHclyB">Register</a> for the virtual kickoff event on Jan. 16, 2025, at 1 p.m. ET and join the collaborative&nbsp;<a href="https://forms.office.com/r/kg6JkNG9L2">here</a>.AHA 2025 Health Care Workforce Scan.&nbsp;The AHA has released its&nbsp;<a href="/aha-workforce-scan">2025 Health Care Workforce Scan</a>, an annual snapshot of America’s hospital and health system employment based on reports, studies and other data sources from leading organizations and researchers. It also offers insights and recommendations from peers and experts. Read the Nov. 13&nbsp;<a href="/2024-11-12-aha-releases-2025-health-care-workforce-scan">AHA Special Bulletin</a> for more information.&nbsp;AHA rural behavioral health resources.&nbsp;&nbsp;AHA released a&nbsp;<a href="/news/blog/2024-11-04-aha-committee-chairs-come-together-increasing-access-behavioral-health-services-rural-communities">blog</a> and&nbsp;<a href="/infographic-realities-behavioral-health-rural-communities">infographic</a> that address challenges in accessing rural behavioral health care and approaches to solving them, respectively.CMS Report: Rural-Urban Disparities in Health Care in Medicare. CMS Nov. 12 released a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cms.gov/files/document/rural-urban-disparities-health-care-medicare-2024.pdf">report</a> on rural and urban disparities in care for Medicare beneficiaries. The report highlights differences in clinical care experiences, including how they vary by race and ethnicity, and historical trends in care quality for rural and urban residents. It also examines trends in health care access and quality.<h2>Grants and Awards</h2>FORHP Small Rural Hospital Improvement Program (SHIP).&nbsp;This program, supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration’s&nbsp;Federal Office of Rural Health Policy, provides states with funding to help their small rural hospitals meet value-based payment and care goals through investments in hardware, software and training. SHIP funds, directed through each hospital’s State Office of Rural Health, can support cybersecurity assessments and training up to $13,000 per year.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ruralcenter.org/programs/ship">LEARN MORE</a>Minority Research Grant Program.&nbsp;This <a href="https://www.cms.gov/priorities/health-equity/grants-awards/minority-research">program</a>, administered by the Centers for Medicare &amp; Medicaid Services Office of Minority Health, supports researchers at minority-serving institutions through funding to address health care disparities affecting people from minority populations. Such populations include people with disabilities, residents in rural areas, and individuals adversely affected by persistent poverty or inequality.&nbsp;<a href="https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/USCMS/subscriber/new?topic_id=USCMS_610">Subscribe</a> to the MRGP listserv to watch for the 2025 grant application process to open.<h2>Rural Health Services</h2>AHA ensures that the unique needs of our members are a national priority. Location, size, workforce, payment and access to capital challenge small or rural hospitals and the communities they serve. AHA Rural Health Services tracks the issues, develops policies and identifies solutions to our most pressing problems. We do this through:<ul><li>Representation and advocacy in Washington, D.C.</li><li>Communication and education.</li><li>Executive leadership and technical assistance.</li><li>Grants, tools and resources.</li></ul>For more details, visit our website at&nbsp;<a href="/advocacy/rural-health-services">AHA Rural Health Services&nbsp;</a>or contact:<ul><li>Susan Doherty, AHA Vice President, Field Engagement (<a href="mailto:sdoherty@aha.org">sdoherty@aha.org</a>)</li><li>Travis Robey, AHA Vice President, Political Affairs (<a href="mailto:trobey@aha.org">trobey@aha.org</a>)</li><li>Shannon Wu, AHA Director, Payment Policy (<a href="mailto:swu@aha.org">swu@aha.org</a>)</li></ul></div></div></div> Fri, 13 Dec 2024 09:05:51 -0600 Rural Health Update Rural Health News Update October 29, 2024 <div class="container"><div class="row"><div class="col-md-8"><img src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/aha-logo-small-header.png" data-entity-uuid="0a3f954c-34fd-4faa-8f13-d31245d1d41f" data-entity-type="file" alt="Small AHA Logo Header" width="128" height="48" class="align-center"><img src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/rural-health-icon_1.jpg" data-entity-uuid="248e96f2-a7da-403f-835e-93ccca7b07d7" data-entity-type="file" alt="Rural Health Image" width="600" height="45" class="align-center"><h2 class="text-align-center">NEWS UPDATE</h2>October 29, 2024Your guide to the latest rural health news and resourcesThe following is a compilation of recent news from the AHA and the Rural Health Services team, whose focus is to ensure rural hospitals’ and health systems’ unique needs are national priorities.&nbsp;<img src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/image_9.png" data-entity-uuid="ccd6cbce-9947-4c0f-9732-6c6052160b3d" data-entity-type="file" alt="AHA Rural Advocacy Alliance Logo" width="571" height="84">&nbsp;AHA advocates on behalf of hospitals: Baxter IV solutions supply shortage.&nbsp;The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Oct. 15 issued a&nbsp;<a href="/news/headline/2024-10-15-cdc-issues-health-advisory-disruptions-pd-and-iv-solutions-due-baxter-plant-closure" target="_blank">health advisory</a> on the supply disruption of peritoneal dialysis and intravenous solutions due to the Baxter plant closure in North Carolina following Hurricane Helene. As part of its regular updates on the IV solution supply disruption, Baxter Oct. 14 launched a&nbsp;<a href="/news/headline/2024-10-14-baxter-launches-webpage-clinical-resources-support-iv-solution-conservation" target="_blank">new webpage</a> with resources that hospitals can use for product management and conservation strategies. Visit&nbsp;<a href="/updates-iv-fluid-supplies-after-helene-forces-closure-baxter-manufacturing-plant" target="_blank">AHA’s webpage</a> for the latest information and other resources related to the IV solution supply disruption. Read&nbsp;<a href="/special-bulletin/2024-10-18-hhs-baxter-announce-additional-mitigation-efforts-increase-access-supply-iv-fluids" target="_blank">AHA’s Oct. 18 Special Bulletin</a> for additional details.The federal government has put companies on notice that price gouging for essential medical supplies like IV solutions will not be tolerated. Hospitals are encouraged to report violations at the&nbsp;Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Complaint&nbsp;<a href="http://www.justice.gov/DisasterComplaintForm" target="_blank">Website</a> or&nbsp;Federal Trade Commission Fraud Reporting&nbsp;<a href="http://www.reportfraud.ftc.gov/">Complaint Form</a>.AHA advocacy priorities for Congress’s post-election lame-duck session. Following the November election, lawmakers — currently in their home districts — will return to Washington for a busy lame-duck session when key funding issues like Medicaid disproportionate share hospital and rural programs will be on the agenda. AHA urges the field to engage with members of Congress to remind them of the importance of preserving access to care by continuing to fund vital programs and avoiding harmful policies such as site-neutral payments. Please see&nbsp;<a href="/action-needed-contact-lawmakers-important-issues-facing-hospitals-and-health-systems" target="_blank">AHA’s Sept. 30 Action Alert</a> for more on our advocacy priorities for Congress’ post-election lame-duck session.AHA telehealth advocacy. The AHA continues to work with Congress and the Administration to enact telehealth reform so that providers can use these services to benefit patients on a permanent basis. We are urging Congress to lift geographic and originating site restrictions, allow Rural Health Clinics and Federally Qualified Health Centers to serve as distant sites, expand practitioners who can provide telehealth, remove in-person visit requirements for behavioral health and allow the continuation of audio-only telehealth services. We also are seeking provisions that would support telehealth for underserved areas; expand the telehealth workforce; and ensure fair and adequate telehealth reimbursement.The AHA has developed&nbsp;<a href="/system/files/media/file/2024/05/fact-sheet-2024-telehealth-advocacy-agenda.pdf" target="_blank" title="Telehealth Fact sheets">fact sheets</a> on telehealth that you can use in your advocacy efforts. Please reach out to your lawmakers and urge them to extend or make permanent these waivers as they are an important part of our efforts to deliver convenient and accessible care as we work to advance health in America.AHA health plan accountability: Tell us your story.&nbsp;AHA wants to hear about your experience with corporate commercial health plans and how inappropriate use of prior authorization, payment delays and other harmful policies are affecting your patients. We welcome submissions in writing or by video or image upload. We will not use any information publicly without your permission. Log in AHA’s site,&nbsp;<a href="/healthplanaccountability" target="_blank" title="Health Plan Accountability Page">Health Plan Accountability page</a> and scroll to the bottom to submit your story or experience.New Medicare Advantage question and complaint process.&nbsp;The Centers for Medicare &amp; Medicaid Services released a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cms.gov/medicare/appeals-grievances/managed-care" target="_blank" title="New complaint process information">new&nbsp;complaint process</a><a href="https://www.cms.gov/medicare/appeals-grievances/managed-care">&nbsp;</a>for providers seeking assistance from the agency in resolving Medicare Advantage claims issues. Read&nbsp;<a href="/fact-sheets/2024-08-09-fact-sheet-improving-access-care-medicare-advantage-beneficiaries">AHA’s fact sheet</a> on the topic. Read&nbsp;<a href="/advisory/2024-08-20-new-medicare-advantage-question-and-complaint-process-provider-organizations" target="_blank" title="AHA's August 20, 2024 Member Advisory">AHA’s Aug. 20 Member Advisory</a> for more details on the new CMS process.&nbsp;<h2>Events &amp; Education</h2><img src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/Rural-Health-Leadership-Conference-2024.png.jpg" data-entity-uuid="c65b7bfb-763d-470f-b439-40e6c6b0d0aa" data-entity-type="file" width="325" height="129" class="align-center"> Register for the 2025 AHA Rural Health Care Leadership Conference, Feb. 23-26,&nbsp;San Antonio. Rural hospital CEOs and senior executives, clinical leaders and trustees will share strategies and resources to tackle rural health challenges and discuss innovative approaches to transform care delivery and business practices. Learn how to receive free registration by attending the Hosted Buyer Forum.&nbsp;<a href="https://ruralconference.aha.org/program/hosted-buyer" target="_blank">LEARN MORE</a>AHA Podcast: The Critical Need for Resource Conservation Plans in the Face of Disasters.&nbsp;Michael Schiller, executive director of the Association for Health Care Resource &amp; Materials Management, and Michael Ganio, senior director of pharmacy practice and quality with the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, discuss the current IV fluid supply situation and the need to create a conservation plan for critical patient supplies that could be threatened by a disaster or other event.&nbsp;<a href="/news/headline/2024-10-16-aha-podcast-critical-need-conservation-plans-face-supply-shortages" target="_blank">LISTEN NOW</a><h2>Tools &amp; Resources</h2>AHA unveils revamped maternal and child health webpages. The AHA has launched refreshed webpages dedicated to maternal and child health. The&nbsp;<a href="/advocacy/maternal-and-child-health" target="_blank" title="Maternal and child health web platform">redesigned platform</a> offers three distinct subpages focused on Better Health for Mothers and Babies, child and adolescent health, and advocacy and policy. Hospitals and health systems are encouraged to explore the tools and resources, such as&nbsp;<a href="/bhmb/infographic" target="_blank">case studies, podcasts, infographics</a><a href="/bhmb/infographic">&nbsp;</a>and&nbsp;<a href="/bhmb/action-plan" target="_blank">action plans</a>&nbsp;to drive their own improvement in maternal and child health.Emergency water supply planning guide for hospitals and health care facilities. During water system interruptions, the operation of health care facilities is severely interrupted, and capability can be almost completely degraded within two hours. To maintain daily operations and patient care services, health care facilities need to develop a water supply plan for an emergency. This&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/water-emergency/hcp/toolkit/index.html" target="_blank">planning guide</a> was published as a collaborative effort between the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Environmental Protection Agency and the American Water Works Association.Action request: AHA’s 2024 Governance Survey.&nbsp;AHA member and non-member CEOs are encouraged to complete the&nbsp;<a href="/news/headline/2024-09-17-ahas-2024-governance-survey-ceos-now-available" target="_blank">AHA’s 2024 Governance Survey</a>&nbsp;by mid-November. The survey provides a profile of the changing landscape of governance in America’s hospitals and health systems; compares current board structure, practices and culture with previous AHA governance surveys; and highlights best practices in the evolving environment. The AHA will produce a report in 2025 highlighting results. If you did not receive the survey, please email&nbsp;<a href="https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Femail.advocacy.aha.org%2FNzEwLVpMTC02NTEAAAGWQHds7Guy4PvAGIVCVh3LvxlpNHJUwQiskNpQajLCukBnEuDaiGjXAVx4Aq1ygN5ktXrG764%3D&amp;data=05%7C02%7Csdoherty%40aha.org%7C614f97709d5f4c9aac9e08dcefba60c0%7Cb9119340beb74e5e84b23cc18f7b36a6%7C0%7C0%7C638648831005095008%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=pOIgV7oMcGsiQM%2BtdRLoab8f5H2xclfgal35sbGifjw%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">surveysupport@aha.org</a>.<h2>Grants &amp; Awards</h2>Deadline Extension: 2025 Carolyn Boone Lewis Equity of Care Awards.&nbsp;The AHA's Institute for Diversity and Health Equity has extended until Nov. 7 the deadline to apply for the 2025 Carolyn Boone Lewis Equity of Care Awards, which recognize the efforts of member hospitals and health systems in advancing health equity, diversity and inclusion across three categories: Transforming, Emerging and Small/Rural.&nbsp; If you need extra time to apply or have questions, please reach out to&nbsp;<a href="mailto:equityofcare@aha.org" target="_blank" title="Equity of Care Website">equityofcare@aha.org</a>.&nbsp;<a href="https://email.membership.aha.org/NzEwLVpMTC02NTEAAAGV9wUJT8oVWeBGwK0erkCv7t1mO0RAA0YZ6e7bH8MhLmgenY5qJMrA3e-P2KbTtbBvweb_Atg=" target="_blank" title="Equity of Care application information">APPLY NOW</a>Delta Region Maternal Care Coordination Program.&nbsp;The Health Resources and Services Administration will award five cooperative agreements for approximately&nbsp;$2.2 million to improve and expand access to and coordination of perinatal health care services in the Delta Region.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.hrsa.gov/rural-health/grants/rural-community" target="_blank">APPLY NOW</a>Early outcomes of Rural Residency Planning and Development Grant Program.&nbsp;A study published in the Journal of Graduate Medical Education evaluates the outcomes of 25 grantees in cohort 1 of HRSA’s program to create&nbsp;<a href="https://www.hrsa.gov/rural-health/grants/rural-health-research-policy/rrpd" target="_blank" title="New residency training program information">new residency training programs</a> in rural areas.&nbsp;Results indicate sufficient success to support program continuation; about a third of placed residents were from the states where the residency programs are located, and these residency programs filled at similar rates as more established residency programs. View a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.hrsa.gov/rural-health/grants/rural-health-research-policy/rrpd/awards">list</a> of RRPD grantees from 2019 to 2024<h2>Rural Health Services</h2>AHA ensures the unique needs of our members are a national priority. Location, size, workforce, payment and access to capital challenge small or rural hospitals and the communities they serve. AHA Rural Health Services tracks the issues, develops policies and identifies solutions to our most pressing problems. We do this through:<ul><li>Representation and advocacy in Washington, D.C.</li><li>Communication and education.</li><li>Executive leadership and technical assistance.</li><li>Grants, tools, and resources.</li></ul>For more details, visit our website at<a href="/advocacy/rural-health-services">&nbsp;AHA Rural Health Services&nbsp;</a>or contact:&nbsp;-Susan Doherty, AHA Vice President, Field Engagement (<a href="mailto:sdoherty@aha.org" target="_blank" title="Susan Doherty email ">sdoherty@aha.org</a>) -Travis Robey, AHA Vice President, Political Affairs (<a href="mailto:trobey@aha.org" target="_blank" title="Travis Robey email">trobey@aha.org</a>) -Shannon Wu, AHA Senior Associate Director, Payment Policy (<a href="mailto:swu@aha.org" title="Shannon Wu email">swu@aha.org</a>)&nbsp;</div></div></div> Tue, 29 Oct 2024 14:08:22 -0500 Rural Health Update Rural Health News Update September 30, 2024 <div class="container"><div class="row"><div class="col-md-8"><img src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/aha-logo-small-header.png" data-entity-uuid="0a3f954c-34fd-4faa-8f13-d31245d1d41f" data-entity-type="file" alt="Small AHA Logo Header" width="128" height="48" class="align-center"><img src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/rural-health-icon_1.jpg" data-entity-uuid="248e96f2-a7da-403f-835e-93ccca7b07d7" data-entity-type="file" alt="Rural Health Image" width="600" height="45" class="align-center"><h2 class="text-align-center">NEWS UPDATE</h2>September 30, 2024Your guide to the latest rural health news and resourcesThe following is a compilation of recent news from the AHA and the Rural Health Services team, whose focus is to ensure rural hospitals’ and health systems’ unique needs are national priorities.<img src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/image_9.png" data-entity-uuid="ccd6cbce-9947-4c0f-9732-6c6052160b3d" data-entity-type="file" alt="AHA Rural Advocacy Alliance Logo" width="571" height="84">&nbsp;As urged by the AHA and others, J&amp;J tells HRSA it is abandoning proposed 340B rebate plan.&nbsp;Johnson &amp; Johnson today <a href="https://sponsors.aha.org/rs/710-ZLL-651/images/sept-27-24-hrsa-letter-johnson-johnson.pdf?version=0">notified&nbsp;</a>the Health Resources and Services Administration that it is ceasing implementation of its proposed 340B rebate model. The decision comes after HRSA Sept. 27 <a href="https://sponsors.aha.org/rs/710-ZLL-651/images/sept-27-2024-hrsa-letter-johnson-johnson.pdf?version=0">said&nbsp;</a>it would terminate J&amp;J’s Pharmaceutical Pricing Agreement and/or impose civil monetary penalties if J&amp;J didn’t halt implementation of the program.On Aug. 23, J&amp;J <a href="https://sponsors.aha.org/rs/710-ZLL-651/images/Johnson%20%20Johnson%20Innovative%20Medicine%20340B%20Rebate%20Model%20Policy%20Update%2008-23-2024_FINAL.pdf">announced&nbsp;</a>that it would be upending its approach to 340B pricing for two of its most popular products, Stelara and Xarelto. J&amp;J said starting Oct. 15 it will require all disproportionate share hospitals participating in the 340B program to purchase these drugs at full price and apply for a rebate from J&amp;J. AHA <a href="/2024-08-28-aha-urges-hrsa-take-immediate-enforcement-action-block-jjs-illegal-imposition-340b-rebate-model">expressed&nbsp;</a>concern and said HRSA should take “immediate enforcement action,” including assessing civil monetary penalties on J&amp;J for intentionally overcharging 340B hospitals. HRSA Sept. 17 <a href="/news/headline/2024-09-17-hrsa-jj-cease-implementation-proposed-340b-rebate-model">told&nbsp;</a>Johnson &amp; Johnson that the company’s publicly announced plans to implement a 340B rebate model “violates J&amp;J’s obligations under the 340B statute, and HRSA expects J&amp;J to cease implementation of it.”AHA Opposes House Bills Addressed in Committee Markup Hearing. On Sept. 11, AHA shared a <a href="/testimony/2024-09-11-aha-statement-house-committee-education-and-workforce-markup-hearing-sept-11-2024">statement&nbsp;</a>with the House Committee on Education and the Workforce. AHA opposed the Health Competition for Better Care Act (H.R. 3120), which would lead to fewer choices for patients and further limit access to care, particularly for those in rural areas with high poverty rates. This bill includes harmful contracting provisions that would prevent doctors and hospitals from negotiating reasonable agreements with commercial health insurance plans. These contracting restrictions — known as tiering or steering — would allow insurers to make it more difficult for patients to choose their own doctors and hospitals by steering them to the providers the insurers own or favor. AHA also opposed the Transparent Telehealth Bills Act of 2024 (H.R. 9457), which would cut hospital reimbursements since payment (including facility fees and any additional services) would be capped for facility-based providers at non-facility rates.CMS Releases Updated Guidance for Hospitals Interested in Participating in Medicare, Medicaid as a Rural Emergency Hospital. The Centers for Medicare &amp; Medicaid Services Sept. 11 released <a href="/news/headline/2024-09-11-cms-releases-updated-guidance-hospitals-interested-participating-medicare-medicaid-rural-emergency">revised guidance&nbsp;</a>regarding conditions of participation and the conversion process for eligible hospitals interested in participating in Medicare and Medicaid as a rural emergency hospital.CDC Releases Rural Health Strategic Plan. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Sept. 12 released a <a href="/news/headline/2024-09-12-cdc-releases-rural-health-strategic-plan">rural health strategic plan&nbsp;</a>which includes the agency’s key priorities, objectives and outcomes in rural health for the next five years.&nbsp;<h2>Events &amp; Education</h2><img src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/Rural-Health-Leadership-Conference-2024.png.jpg" data-entity-uuid="c65b7bfb-763d-470f-b439-40e6c6b0d0aa" data-entity-type="file" width="325" height="129">&nbsp;Register for the 2025 AHA Rural Health Care Leadership Conference, Feb. 2326, San Antonio. Rural hospital CEOs and senior executives, clinical leaders and trustees will share strategies and resources to tackle rural health challenges and discuss innovative approaches to transform care delivery and business practices. Register by Dec. 20 for early bird pricing.<a href="https://ruralconference.aha.org/registration">&nbsp;LEARN MORE&nbsp;</a>AHA Podcast: Suicide Prevention in Wisconsin’s Farming Community. The Farmer Angel Network support group is devoted to suicide prevention in Wisconsin's farming communities. In this conversation, leaders discuss how this impactful work began, the domino effect that suicide can have in farming towns, and the resources available to support families and loved ones. <a href="/advancing-health-podcast/2024-09-18-suicide-prevention-wisconsins-farming-communities">LISTEN NOW&nbsp;</a><h2><img src="https://sponsors.aha.org/rs/710-ZLL-651/images/Rural%20Tools%20Marketo.png" width="155" height="155" align="left" class="align-left">Tools &amp; Resources</h2><h2>AHA Guide: Mental Health and Well-Being — Caring for</h2>Employees in Rural Communities.&nbsp;This <a href="/suicideprevention/health-care-workforce/suicide-prevention-guide">AHA guide&nbsp;</a>offers a curated list of 12 evidence-informed interventions that hospitals and health systems can implement to reduce the risk of suicide among their employees.&nbsp;&nbsp;AHA Report: Hospitals Improving Performance on Key Patient Safety Measures Surpassing Pre-pandemic Levels. The AHA Sept. 12 released a new <a href="/news/headline/2024-09-12-aha-report-hospitals-improving-performance-key-patient-safety-measures-surpassing-pre-pandemic-levels">report&nbsp;</a>that found hospital and health system performance on key patient safety and quality measures was better in the first quarter of 2024 than it was prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, and that hospitals made these improvements while caring for patients with more significant health care needs.Report: NFP Hospitals' Value to Communities 10 Times Federal Tax Exemption.&nbsp;An <a href="/2024-09-23-estimates-value-federal-tax-exemption-and-community-benefits-provided-nonprofit-hospitals-2020">EY report&nbsp;</a>prepared for the AHA shows that tax-exempt hospitals and health systems delivered $10 in benefits to their communities for every dollar’s worth of federal tax exemption in 2020, the most recent year for which comprehensive data is available. It represents an increase from $9 in benefits from the prior year despite efforts in battling the COVID-19 pandemic.Report: Maternal Care Access Worsening Nationwide Due to Hospital Closures, Decreases in Obstetric Services.&nbsp;More than 5.5 million women live in counties with no or limited access to maternity care services, due to recent hospital closures and obstetric service reductions, according to a <a href="https://www.marchofdimes.org/maternity-care-deserts-report?mkt_tok=NzEwLVpMTC02NTEAAAGVjAGlgZj6QyjzAtlWucnYV9IN276H2tBVW_UuTo3ScQBROCMviBPxAqC0quQB2iE6HyFQ2bOT1YpmMbENAEekRGNJuLP7zJYRPRi7Ba1ycZA_xg">report&nbsp;</a>released Sept. 10 by the March of Dimes. The AHA has highlighted the challenge of providing obstetric services in rural areas and provides members with resources to improve maternal and child health through the <a href="/better-health-for-mothers-and-babies">Better Health for Mothers and Babies initiative.</a>&nbsp;AHA 2024 Governance Survey.&nbsp;The <a href="/news/headline/2024-09-17-ahas-2024-governance-survey-ceos-now-available">AHA’s 2024 Governance Survey&nbsp;</a>is now available for AHA-member and non-member CEOs to complete. The survey will close in midNovember. Email&nbsp;trustees@aha.org for additional information.<h2><img src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/grants-icon.png" alt="Grants image" width="154" height="154" class="align-left">Grants &amp; Awards</h2>Apply for the 2025 AHA Dick Davidson NOVA Awards by Oct. 14.&nbsp;The&nbsp;Dick Davidson NOVA Award celebrates outstanding collaborative efforts to advance community health through health care, economic or social initiatives. <a href="/about/awards/aha-nova-award">APPLY NOW&nbsp;</a><h2>Rural Health Services</h2>AHA ensures the unique needs of our members are a national priority. Location, size, workforce, payment and access to capital challenge small or rural hospitals and the communities they serve. AHA Rural Health Services tracks the issues, develops policies and identifies solutions to our most pressing problems. We do this through:<ul><li>Representation and advocacy in Washington, D.C.</li><li>Communication and education.</li><li>Executive leadership and technical assistance.</li><li>Grants, tools, and resources.</li></ul>For more details, visit our website at<a href="/advocacy/rural-health-services">&nbsp;AHA Rural Health Services&nbsp;</a>or contact:&nbsp;-Susan Doherty, AHA Vice President, Field Engagement (<a href="mailto:sdoherty@aha.org" target="_blank" title="Susan Doherty email ">sdoherty@aha.org</a>) -Travis Robey, AHA Vice President, Political Affairs (<a href="mailto:trobey@aha.org" target="_blank" title="Travis Robey email">trobey@aha.org</a>) -Shannon Wu, AHA Senior Associate Director, Payment Policy (<a href="mailto:swu@aha.org" title="Shannon Wu email">swu@aha.org</a>)&nbsp;</div></div></div> Mon, 30 Sep 2024 21:12:09 -0500 Rural Health Update Rural Health News Update August 30, 2024 <div class="container"><div class="row"><div class="col-md-8"><img src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/aha-logo-small-header.png" data-entity-uuid="0a3f954c-34fd-4faa-8f13-d31245d1d41f" data-entity-type="file" alt="Small AHA Logo Header" width="128" height="48" class="align-center"><img src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/rural-health-icon_1.jpg" data-entity-uuid="248e96f2-a7da-403f-835e-93ccca7b07d7" data-entity-type="file" alt="Rural Health Image" width="600" height="45" class="align-center"><h2 class="text-align-center">NEWS UPDATE</h2>August 30, 2024Your guide to the latest rural health news and resourcesThe following is a compilation of recent news from the AHA and the Rural Health Services team, whose focus is to ensure rural hospitals’ and health systems’ unique needs are national priorities.<img src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/image_9.png" data-entity-uuid="ccd6cbce-9947-4c0f-9732-6c6052160b3d" data-entity-type="file" alt="AHA Rural Advocacy Alliance Logo" width="571" height="84">&nbsp;There is still time to discuss key issues with lawmakers before they return to the Capitol on Sept. 9.&nbsp;Now is a crucial time to invite legislators to your hospital to discuss&nbsp;important issues faced by hospitals and health systems, including site-neutral payments, workforce safety, commercial health plan accountability, Medicaid disproportionate share hospitals and extending critical rural programs. Read AHA’s July 31&nbsp;<a href="/action-alert/2024-07-31-action-needed-talk-lawmakers-august-important-issues-facing-hospitals-and-health-systems">Action Alert.&nbsp;</a>Medicare-dependent hospitals and low-volume adjustment hospitals received a targeted action alert on July 29 with their financial impact data if those programs expire.Appropriations legislation moves.&nbsp;The Senate Appropriations Committee passed its fiscal year <a href="https://www.appropriations.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/fy25_lhhs_bill_text1.pdf">2025 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Related&nbsp;Agencies&nbsp;bill&nbsp;</a>out of Committee by a vote of 25-3. The Senate funded most key rural health programs at or above AHA’s requested levels. This appropriations bill represents another significant win for rural health following the House's L-HHS funding bill.&nbsp;AHA comments on legislation to improve primary care payment.&nbsp;The AHA July 15&nbsp;<a href="/news/headline/2024-07-15-aha-comments-senators-proposed-legislation-improve-primary-care-payment">commented&nbsp;</a>on a request for information based on the Pay PCPs Act (S. 4338), legislation designed to improve support and pay for primary care providers. In it, the AHA highlighted its support since 2021 for the establishment of a Rural Design Center within the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation, which would focus on smaller-scale initiatives to meet rural communities’ needs and encourage participation of rural hospitals and facility types.&nbsp;&nbsp;CMS’ hospital inpatient PPS final rule for FY 2025.&nbsp;The Centers for Medicare &amp; Medicaid Services Aug. 1 issued its hospital inpatient prospective payment system and long-term care&nbsp;hospital PPS<a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/public-inspection/2024-17021/medicare-medicaid-and-childrens-health-insurance-programs-hospital-inpatient-prospective-payment">&nbsp;final rule&nbsp;</a>for fiscal year 2025. Read&nbsp;AHA’s Aug. 2&nbsp;<a href="/special-bulletin/2024-08-02-cms-hospital-inpatient-pps-final-rule-fy-2025">Special&nbsp;Bulletin&nbsp;</a>for highlights of provisions related to the inpatient PPS and the CMMI Transforming Episode Accountability Model alternative payment model, which begins Jan. 1, 2026.&nbsp;CMS issues hospital outpatient, ambulatory surgical center proposed rule for CY 2025.&nbsp;CMS July 10 released its calendar year 2025 outpatient prospective payment system and ambulatory surgical center <a href="https://public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2024-15087.pdf">proposed rule.</a> The rule would increase OPPS rates by a net 2.6% in CY 2025 compared to CY 2024. CMS will accept comments on the proposed rule through Sept. 9. Read AHA’s July 10&nbsp;<a href="/special-bulletin/2024-07-10-cms-issues-hospital-outpatient-ambulatory-surgical-center-proposed-rule-cy-2025">Special Bulletin.</a>&nbsp;<h2><img src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/education-icon_0.png" alt="Education Icon" width="166" height="166" class="align-left">Events &amp; Education</h2>Call for Content: 2025 Accelerating Health EquityConference.&nbsp;This annual conference takes place May 20-22, 2025, in Atlanta. Content areas for proposals will focus on building authentic and sustained community engagement and partnership, creating equitable and inclusive workplaces, and more. Proposals due by Sept. 16.&nbsp;<a href="https://equityconference.aha.org/speaking-opportunities?utm_source=rural-newsletter&amp;utm_campaign=call-for-content"> LEARN MORE</a>AHA podcast: How a Rural Health System Continues to Provide Essential Obstetric Services.&nbsp;Kittitas Valley Healthcare, based in Ellensburg, Wash., was delivering 300-350 babies each year in the region prior to 2022, offering the area’s only comprehensive obstetric services. But when its three full-time OB/GYNs left, KVH was suddenly faced with a huge problem. Julie Petersen, KVH CEO, discusses how the organization kept its promise to preserve essential obstetric services for women of all ages.<a href="/news/headline/2024-07-15-aha-podcast-how-rural-health-system-continues-provide-essential-obstetric-services">&nbsp;LISTEN NOW&nbsp;</a><h2><img src="https://sponsors.aha.org/rs/710-ZLL-651/images/Rural%20Tools%20Marketo.png" width="155" height="155" align="left" class="align-left">Tools &amp; Resources</h2>Cyber resources for AHA members.&nbsp;The AHA released a <a href="/system/files/media/file/2024/08/Change-Healthcare-Cyberattack-Timeline.pdf">timeline resource&nbsp;</a>that maps out each of the association’s <a href="/cybersecurity/change-healthcare-cyberattack-updates">communications&nbsp;</a>to members, Congress and other stakeholders in the wake of the Feb. 21 cyberattack against UnitedHealth Group’s Change Healthcare. AHA’s Cybersecurity and Risk Advisory Services, led by AHA’s National Advisor for Cybersecurity and Risk John Riggi (jriggi@aha.org), provide consultation and strategy in a range of areas to support rural hospitals.&nbsp;Member hospitals and health systems can visit <a href="/cybersecurity/support-cybersecurity-program">AHA’s&nbsp;webpage&nbsp;</a>for information and new offerings, including resources to help hospitals meet the Department of Health and Human Services’ set of voluntary Cybersecurity Performance Goals. Offerings are available to AHA members from the association’s partners Microsoft, Google, AON, Censinet, Critical Insight and Cylera.<a href="/2024-06-10-aha-helps-secure-new-cybersecurity-resources-microsoft-and-google-assist-rural-hospitals">&nbsp;LEARN MORE&nbsp;</a>Health Equity Toolbox. AHA’s Institute for Diversity and Health Equity’s newest series, the <a href="https://ifdhe.aha.org/health-equity-toolbox-how-does-dei-relate-health-equity">Health Equity Toolbox,</a> provides a set of resources designed to improve the field's understanding of key health equity topics. Explore the first installment of this series: an infographic that explains how DEI is one of many tools to advance health equity.&nbsp;<h2><img src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/grants-icon.png" alt="Grants image" width="154" height="154" class="align-left">Grants &amp; Awards</h2>Apply for AHA's 2024 Rural Hospital Leadership Team Award. This award honors a team that has displayed outstanding leadership and responsiveness to their community’s health needs and demonstrated a collaborative community process that led to measurable outcomes.&nbsp;Applications due by Aug. 31.<a href="/about/awards/rural-hospital-leadership-award">&nbsp;APPLY NOW&nbsp;</a><h2>Rural Health Services</h2>AHA ensures the unique needs of our members are a national priority. Location, size, workforce, payment and access to capital challenge small or rural hospitals and the communities they serve. AHA Rural Health Services tracks the issues, develops policies and identifies solutions to our most pressing problems. We do this through:<ul><li>Representation and advocacy in Washington, D.C.</li><li>Communication and education.</li><li>Executive leadership and technical assistance.</li><li>Grants, tools, and resources.</li></ul>For more details, visit our website at<a href="/advocacy/rural-health-services">&nbsp;AHA Rural Health Services&nbsp;</a>or contact:&nbsp;-Susan Doherty, AHA Vice President, Field Engagement (<a href="mailto:sdoherty@aha.org" target="_blank" title="Susan Doherty email ">sdoherty@aha.org</a>) -Travis Robey, AHA Vice President, Political Affairs (<a href="mailto:trobey@aha.org" target="_blank" title="Travis Robey email">trobey@aha.org</a>) -Shannon Wu, AHA Senior Associate Director, Payment Policy (<a href="mailto:swu@aha.org" title="Shannon Wu email">swu@aha.org</a>)&nbsp;</div></div></div> Fri, 30 Aug 2024 20:40:57 -0500 Rural Health Update