Rural Health Today

Dr. Carrie Henning-Smith, 2026 president of the National Rural Health Association joins us on today’s episode of Rural Health Fractured. Today we are talking about rural healthcare and aging. Dr. Henning-Smith will share her experience providing aging care in rural communities as well as her research into the social infrastructure of rural health. We'll talk about caregiver burnout, medicare acces...

Rural Health News is a weekly segment of Rural Health Today, a podcast by Hillsdale Hospital. News sources for this episode:  Phil Galewitz & Samantha Liss, “Indiana Takes on Powerful Hospitals by Capping Prices They Charge Employers,” https://kffhealthnews.org/health-industry/hospitals-price-controls-indiana-cap-healthcare-costs-debate/, KFF Health News. Alan Dondon, “Hospital price caps gain mom...

Heidi Hagel-Braid, chief executive officer at First Children's Finance, joins us on today’s episode of Rural Health Today. Childcare deserts present a serious challenge to rural communities nationwide. Heidi's insight will provide us an understanding of the issues rural communities face as well as actionable steps we can take. We'll talk about access to rural childcare, creative solutions, and of...

Rural Health News is a weekly segment of Rural Health Today, a podcast by Hillsdale Hospital. News sources for this episode: Andrew Cass, “Senators warn RHTP may disadvantage independent rural hospitals,” June 24, 2026, https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/finance/senators-warn-rhtp-may-disadvantage-independent-rural-hospitals/, Becker’s Hospital Review. Hawkins Teague, “Celsor criticizes state’s...

Craig Thompson, chief executive officer at Golden Valley Memorial Healthcare, joins us on today’s episode of Rural Health Today. Advocacy remains critical in maintaining local access to care for rural hospitals. Craig shares with us some strategies on how we can exercise our voice on both state and federal levels. We’ll talk about, reimbursement, RHTP effects and what it all has to do with rural h...

Rural Health News is a weekly segment of Rural Health Today, a podcast by Hillsdale Hospital. News sources for this episode: Forvis Mazars, “CMS Rule Signals Shift in Medicaid State-Directed Payments,” June 11, 2026, https://www.forvismazars.us/forsights/2026/06/cms-rule-signals-shift-in-medicaid-state-directed-payments. Medicaid.gov, “State Directed Payments,” https://www.medicaid.gov/medicaid/ma...

Amanda Bank, program officer at the Center for Healthcare Strategies, joins us on today’s episode of Rural Health Today. Access to food is a key determinant of health in any community. Amanda’s expertise on food security will be vital in helping us understand the impact food insecurity has on small-town America. We’ll talk about food security programs, policy changes, and of course, what it all ha...

Rural Health News is a weekly segment of Rural Health Today, a podcast by Hillsdale Hospital. News sources for this episode: Kate Wells, “Michigan Found a Way To Reduce School Vaccine Waivers. Until It Backfired.,” June 3, 2026, https://kffhealthnews.org/public-health/vaccinations-school-vaccine-waivers-michigan-measles-covid-lockdowns/, KFF Health News. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,...

Dominick Pallone, executive director at the Michigan Association of Health Plans, joins us on today’s episode of Rural Health Today. Health plans are an essential component to healthcare affordability and accessibility in the United States, but the cost of premiums continues to climb. Dominick is here to provide insights in healthcare affordability in Michigan. We’ll talk about upcoming legislatio...

Rural Health News is a weekly segment of Rural Health Today, a podcast by Hillsdale Hospital. News sources for this episode: Kate Wells, “Michigan Found a Way To Reduce School Vaccine Waivers. Until It Backfired.,” June 3, 2026, https://kffhealthnews.org/public-health/vaccinations-school-vaccine-waivers-michigan-measles-covid-lockdowns/, KFF Health News. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,...

We are excited to have Joyce Fetrow, project director of the North Michigan Opioid Response Consortium, join us on today’s episode of Rural Health Today. Opioid use continues to be prevalent in rural communities, especially those lacking the resources to address it with sustainable solutions. Joyce is here to share her perspective as a leader in the field of opioid response. We’ll talk about effec...

Rural Health News is a weekly segment of Rural Health Today, a podcast by Hillsdale Hospital. News sources for this episode: Sarah Kwon, “Cheaper, Alternative Health Plans Are Having a Moment, but Critics Urge Caution,” May 26, 2026, https://kffhealthnews.org/health-industry/alternative-health-plans-growth-sharing-ministries-short-term-aca-premiums/, KFF Health News. John Riggi, “Health Care Cyber...

Dr. James Jackson, author and director of behavioral health at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, joins us on today’s guest episode of Rural Health Today. Medical trauma can create barriers between patients and access to the care they need. Dr. Jackson will share his perspective as an expert in behavioral health and author of a recently published book on medical trauma. We’ll talk about symptom...

I am excited to welcome Alexa McKinley-Abel onto our show! Today we’re talking about the impact of funding cuts and harmful legislation on rural communities and hospitals. Alexa is here to share her perspective as an expert in government policy and advocacy. We’ll talk about the role of state offices, the newest budget cuts proposed for Fiscal Year 2027, and of course, what it all has to do with r...

Rural Health News is a weekly segment of Rural Health Today, a podcast by Hillsdale Hospital. News sources for this episode: National Conference of State Legislators, “FY 2027 State Budget Status,” May 7, 2026, https://www.ncsl.org/fiscal/fy-2027-state-budget-status. Robert Tann, “Colorado Gov. Jared Polis signs state budget, with Medicaid taking brunt of cuts to close $1 billion gap,” May 8, 2026...

Monica McConkey, Eyes on the Horizon founder and rural mental health specialist, joins us on today’s guest episode of Rural Health Today. Today we’re talking about access to mental healthcare in rural communities. Monica is here to share her perspective as a leader in rural mental health. We’ll talk about service closures, how stigma affects care, and of course, what it all has to do with rural he...

Rural Health News is a weekly segment of Rural Health Today, a podcast by Hillsdale Hospital. News sources for this episode: National Rural Health Association, “Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026,” February 17, 2026, https://nrha-prod-eastus-be.azure.silvertech.net/NationalRuralHealth/media/Documents/Advocacy/2026/Farm,-Food,-and-Natl-Sec-Act-summary-2-17-26_1.pdf.  Congress.gov, “H.R.7...

We're back for part two with Elizabeth Kutter, vice president and deputy chief counsel at the Michigan Health & Hospital Association, joins us on today’s episode of Rural Health Today. Healthcare expenses continue to outpace the cost of living, creating more financial strain for hardworking families across the US. Elizabeth is here to provide her insight as an advocate for healthcare funding in Mi...

Rural Health News is a weekly segment of Rural Health Today, a podcast by Hillsdale Hospital. News sources for this episode: Gary L. Roth, DO, “Fact Check: Drug Pricing Savings Are the Lifeline to Community Healthcare Services,” April 30, 2026, https://www.mha.org/newsroom/fact-check-drug-pricing-savings-are-the-lifeline-to-community-healthcare-services/, Michigan Health and Hospital Association. ...

Elizabeth Kutter, vice president and deputy chief counsel at the Michigan Health & Hospital Association, joins us on today’s episode of Rural Health Today. Healthcare expenses continue to outpace the cost of living, creating more financial strain for hardworking families across the US. Elizabeth is here to provide her insight as an advocate for healthcare funding in Michigan’s state government. We...

Rural Health News is a weekly segment of Rural Health Today, a podcast by Hillsdale Hospital. News sources for this episode: Marcia Brown, “The future of WIC’s fruit and veggie benefit,” April 20, 2026, https://www.politico.com/newsletters/weekly-agriculture/2026/04/20/the-future-of-wics-fruit-and-veggie-benefit-00880249, Politico. Kelly Gooch and Kristin Kuchno, “The hospitals, health systems cut...

Rural Health Today is thrilled to welcome to the show Alana Skye Campbell, senior director of healthcare access at the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Today we’re talking about healthcare deserts in rural America and how access to local care impacts the diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions. Alana is here to share her perspective and insight on healthcare access for multiple sclerosis...

Rural Health News is a weekly segment of Rural Health Today, a podcast by Hillsdale Hospital. News sources for this episode: National Association of Rural Health Clinics, “Congress Takes Steps to Exempt Health Care Workers from New H-1B Fee,” April 16, 2026, https://www.narhc.org/News/33042/Congress-Takes-Steps-to-Exempt-Health-Care-Workers-from-New-H-1B-Fee.  Congress.gov, “Text - H.R.7691 - 119t...

I am thrilled to be in the studio with today’s special guest, Dr. Nahid Bhadelia, founding director at Boston University Center on Emerging Infectious Diseases.  Today we’re talking about infectious disease management in rural healthcare settings. Dr. Bhadelia is here to share her perspective and insight as an infectious disease physician. We’ll talk about the role hospitals play in infectious dis...

Rural Health News is a weekly segment of Rural Health Today, a podcast by Hillsdale Hospital. News sources for this episode: Sabrina Ho, “NRHA Statement on the President’s FY 2027 Budget Request,” April 3, 2026, https://www.ruralhealth.us/blogs/2026/04-april/nrha-statement-on-the-president%E2%80%99s-fy-2027-budget-request, National Rural Health Association. Molly Gamble, “756 hospitals at risk of...