Rural issues
Michelle Hood, AHA executive vice president and COO, moderated a panel discussion with Chris Hasse, chief administrative officer, Mayo Clinic Health System, and Julie Yaroch, D.O., president, Promedica Charles and Virginia Hickman Hospital in Adrian, Mich., about the future of rural hospitals and鈥
In a panel discussion moderated by Aaron Wesolowski, AHA vice president of research strategy and policy communications, John Allison, AHA senior associate director, health policy and analytics; Jeremy Martin, COO of St. James Parish Hospital in Lutcher, La.; and Carl Vaagenes, CEO, Alomere Health,鈥
Attendees got a first-hand look at what happens when cybercriminals launch a ransomware attack.
Over 1,200 rural leaders are gathered at the AHA 2025 Rural Health Care Leadership Conference in San Antonio this week. Discussions about challenges and opportunities facing the field range from hospital leadership to grassroots advocacy.
In his welcoming remarks, 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. He urged attendees to 鈥渓ight up the switchboards鈥 on Capitol Hill鈥
A new AHA report highlights how certain practices by Medicare Advantage plans are increasing rural hospitals' vulnerabilities and threatening access to care in rural communities.
Rural hospitals play a vital role in the health and economic stability of their communities, serving as lifelines for care and major local employers.
The AHA today announced 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.鈥
Please ask your senators and representatives to prevent Medicaid disproportionate share hospital payment cuts from taking effect; extend enhanced low-volume adjustment and Medicare-dependent hospital programs that expand access to care in rural areas; and extend telehealth and hospital-at-home鈥