Rural Health Today

Rural hospital closures have an undeniable effect on local access to care and may also result in a change to the actual cost of care to that population. But, it's the relationship between cost, quality and efficiency that is not always clear. So, how do we better understand the financial access and quality impact rural hospital closures have on affected populations? On today’s episode, hosts JJ an...

The healthcare industry today is facing a number of challenges, and state hospital associations are advocating for and supporting hospitals through it all. So, how do state associations support and engage rural hospitals in these unprecedented times? On today’s episode, hosts JJ and Rachel talk with Brian Peters, president and CEO of the Michigan Health & Hospital Association (MHA), about healthca...

On today’s episode, hosts JJ and Rachel celebrate 100 episodes of Rural Health Rising by looking back to when the podcast started as well as how the podcast will continue to grow in the future.   Follow Rural Health Rising on Twitter! https://twitter.com/ruralhealthpod/ https://twitter.com/hillsdaleCEOJJ/ https://twitter.com/ruralhealthrach/   Follow Hillsdale Hospital on social media! https://www...

Access to fresh, nutrient-dense foods can be tough for underserved populations in rural communities. So, how do rural hospitals engage the community and support efforts to combat food insecurity? On today’s episode, hosts JJ and Rachel talk with Denise Lovinger, registered dietician, and Ezra Bertakis, owner of Chef’s Way Farm, about the partnership between the hospital and the farm to combat hung...

Rural hospitals are important to smaller communities but as of now there are more than 200 rural hospitals on the brink of closure. So, how do we raise awareness on rural hospital closures and prevent them from happening? On today’s episode, hosts JJ and Rachel talk with Steve Gruber, broadcast journalist and host of the Steve Gruber Show. Follow Rural Health Rising on Twitter!  https://twitter.co...

Payment models are a hot topic for discussion, debate and development in the healthcare industry today. From consulting firms to associations and other industry influencers, various models are proposed, but they’re not always designed with financial sustainability of rural hospitals in mind. So, how do we differentiate between payment models that could actually work versus rhetoric that won’t? On...

Radiology services are very important, but for a rural hospital it can be hard to keep large, expensive technology up-to-date. So, how do we manage cutting-edge radiology services in a rural environment? On today’s episode, hosts JJ and Rachel talk with Jamie Caldwell, Manager of Radiology at Hillsdale Hospital about radiology services and the expensive technology needed to run this service. Follo...

Elder care in rural America is unique—not just while the patient is in the hospital, but also after discharge. Resources in rural communities may be scarcer, access to transportation limited, and other factors that can impact a person’s health after leaving the hospital. So, how do rural hospital case management programs navigate the rural environment to ensure adequate support for elderly patient...

Rural hospital closures continue to rise, leaving rural Americans without local access to healthcare. A recent study analyzed the effect this has on geographically-close hospitals, and the burden on those facilities in the years after closure. So, how do hospitals monitor and measure the potential impact of nearby closures and prevent their own closure? On today’s episode, hosts JJ and Rachel talk...

Pediatric care is a core part of the healthcare system in any community, including rural America. But caring for kids in a rural community poses unique challenges and requires a tailored approach to ensure the health and wellbeing of young patients. So, how do rural pediatricians take care of the youngest rural Americans? On today’s episode, hosts JJ and Rachel talk with Dr. Nicholle Ellis, pediat...

In this week's minisode, JJ and Rachel talk about the challenges plaguing the industry right now, and strategies to keep your workforce engaged and in the loop. Follow Rural Health Rising on Twitter! https://twitter.com/ruralhealthpod https://twitter.com/hillsdaleCEOJJ https://twitter.com/ruralhealthrach Follow Hillsdale Hospital on social media! https://www.facebook.com/hillsdalehospital https://...

Rural hospitals continue to face unprecedented challenges in todays environment with supply chain increases, workforce recruitment and retention, financial woes and more. And as staff burnout, leaders do too. This week, we welcome Sydney Grant, Director of Programming at the National Rural Health Association, to discuss how leaders can gain the education, support and fortitude to shepherd their or...

Rural communities often have a larger proportion of elderly residence compared to their urban and suburban counterparts, contributing to a larger proportion of elderly patients receiving care in rural hospitals. They are also less likely to have access to support at home, adequate resources , and other factors to take care of themselves after they leave. To help us further understand the issues of...

Rural obstetrics care is often hampered by a lack of providers, low reimbursement, and limited resources, often leading to closures of birthing centers and OB/GYN practices in rural communities. This week, we speak with a Hillsdale legend, and someone who often has been been the only or one of the only people delivering babies in the community over the past few decades. Today welcome Dr. Alfred Be...

After an illuminating conversation last week with Harold Miller, CEO Center for Healthcare Quality and Payment Reform, we talk this week about our thoughts and reactions to the interview. We also discuss ways that rural hospitals can come together to help sway both public opinion and public policy regarding sufficient payment and reimbursement. Follow Rural Health Rising on Twitter! https://twitte...

Nearly 30 percent of all rural hospitals in the United States are at risk of closure, including 10 percent at immediate risk of closure. Mixed payment models, fixes that made things worse, and the effect of inflation demand a new look on how rural hospitals are paid and sustained. This week, we welcome Harold Miller, CEO of the Center for Healthcare Quality and Payment Reform to talk about alterna...

Today, we get into the history of rural health as well as taking a look to the future. This week, we welcome someone who has been leading the National Rural Health Association for more than 20 years, and was advocating for hospitals even before that. Our guest today is Alan Morgan, CEO of The National Rural Health Association. Follow Rural Health Rising on Twitter! https://twitter.com/ruralhealthp...

On this week's minisode, JJ and Rachel talk about how rural health closed out 2022 and what they're looking forward to in 2023 here on Rural Health Rising. Follow Rural Health Rising on Twitter!  https://twitter.com/ruralhealthpod/  https://twitter.com/hillsdaleCEOJJ/  https://twitter.com/ruralhealthrach/ Follow Hillsdale Hospital on social media!  https://www.facebook.com/hillsdalehospital/ https...

Public health and healthcare play different, but complementary, roles in ensuring the health and wellness of their communities and patients. This relationship was both tested and highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic unlike ever before. So, how do rural hospitals work with their local public health agencies to support their overall health and wellbeing of the people they serve? On today’s episo...

After election season as legislatures and executive offices begin to turnover, newly elected officials have to begin shaping their priorities and engaging with constituents to inform those priorities, often forming brand new relationships in the process. So, how do rural hospitals ensure that they are part of the conversation with newly-elected policy and rule makers from the start? On today’s epi...

Many of America’s critical access hospitals are in geographically-isolated areas, serving sparse populations far from any other hospitals or healthcare facilities. This means they are the sole healthcare provider for their communities, serving a broad range of patients with a broad range of healthcare needs. So, how do these critical access hospitals prioritize care designed for their unique commu...

Building relationships with state and local elected officials is important for rural hospitals and healthcare providers as they work to advocate for their organizations, their patients and their communities. But accessing those individuals and developing those relationships is not always easy. So, how do rural hospitals effectively engage state and local leaders? On today’s episode, hosts JJ and R...

Telehealth was brought to the forefront of healthcare delivery models during the COVID-19 pandemic as patients were hesitant to leave their homes and the need for isolation and social distancing required more virtual care. During the public health emergency, telehealth has been reimbursed, but the future of that reimbursement is uncertain as the expected end of the public health emergency looms. S...

As rural hospitals work to serve their patients locally, accessing state-of-the-art, cutting-edge or advanced imaging technologies can be a barrier, meaning patients either leave town for care or don’t get care at all. So, how do rural hospitals expand their offerings to give patients the care they need at home? On today’s episode, hosts JJ and Rachel talk with Brian Madison, president and CEO of...

In celebration of National Rural Health Day and the two-year anniversary of Rural Health Rising, hosts JJ and Rachel discuss what “The Power of Rural” means to them. Celebrate National Rural Health Day using #PowerofRural and #NationalRuralHealthDay on social media! https://www.powerofrural.org Follow Rural Health Rising on Twitter! https://twitter.com/ruralhealthpod  https://twitter.com/hillsdale...