Rural Health Today

Today’s guest on Rural Health Today is Julie Soekoro, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at Hamilton Health Care System in Dalton, Georgia. Rural hospitals face unique challenges in financial sustainability, but serve an irreplaceable role in our communities. Telling that story effectively will be key to closing the gap between the reality of rural health and how legislators unde...

Rural Health News is a weekly segment of Rural Health Today, a podcast by Hillsdale Hospital. News sources for this episode: Madeline Scheetz, “HHS, CMS form healthcare advisory committee,” March 26, 2026, https://www.beckerspayer.com/leadership/hhs-cms-form-healthcare-advisory-committee/, Becker’s Payer Issues.  Paul Keckley, “Reality Check: the New Healthcare Advisory Committee,” March 29, 2026,...

Rural Health Today welcomes Dr. Ross Ramsey, president and chief executive officer at Scheurer Health, as this week’s guest.  In this episode we’ll talk about how the trust between physicians, patients and health organizations has been fractured in rural health, and what it will take to repair that trust. Dr. Ramsey will share his perspective on how rural hospitals can build relationships with the...

Rural Health News is a weekly segment of Rural Health Today, a podcast by Hillsdale Hospital. News sources for this episode: Lauren Weber, “RFK Jr. and Dr. Oz have a plan to save rural health care. Here’s the catch.,” March 24, 2026, https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/nation/2026/03/24/rfk-jr-dr-oz-plan-save-rural-health-care-heres-catch/89297731007/, The Detroit News. The Washington Post, “RF...

Alicia Faust, principal at Forivs Mazars US, joins us on today’s episode of Rural Health Today. Many hospitals and healthcare providers struggle to make financial and operational processes work in a way that supports the best interests of the organization and the patients they serve while remaining compliant. In this episode, Alicia will guide us through her recommendations for rural hospitals nav...

Rural Health News is a weekly segment of Rural Health Today, a podcast by Hillsdale Hospital. News sources for this episode: Lunna Lopes Et al., “Cost Concerns and Coverage Changes: A Follow-Up Survey of ACA Marketplace Enrollees,” March 19, 2026, https://www.kff.org/public-opinion/a-follow-up-survey-of-aca-marketplace-enrollees/, KFF Health News. Julie Appleby, “Many ACA Customers Are Paying High...

Rural Health Today is excited to welcome to the show Amy Brown, chief nursing officer at the Michigan Health & Hospital Association. In this episode we’ll cover workplace violence in healthcare settings and the impact it has on care teams. Amy will share her perspective on how rural health has been fractured by violent actions against the healthcare staff who are the heart of our hospitals. We’ll...

Rural Health News is a weekly segment of Rural Health Today, a podcast by Hillsdale Hospital. News sources for this episode: Naomi Diaz, “Stryker hit by cyberattack reportedly tied to Iran-linked hackers,” March 12, 2026 https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/healthcare-information-technology/cybersecurity/medical-device-maker-stryker-hit-with-cyberattack/, Becker’s Healthcare. Ross Law, “Stryker s...

Today’s guest on Rural Health Today is Dr. Mark Holmes, academic leader and health policy researcher at UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health. To advocate for rural health, leaders in healthcare need to understand the ins and outs of how our field is influenced by changes to policy and payment models. We’ll talk about Medicaid changes, health access, and of course, what it all has to do with...

Rural Health News is a weekly segment of Rural Health Today, a podcast by Hillsdale Hospital. News sources for this episode: Jakob Emerson, “Lawmakers introduce bill to reverse Medicaid cuts, expand Medicare benefits,” March 2, 2026, https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/finance/lawmakers-introduce-bill-to-reverse-medicaid-cuts-expand-medicare-benefits/, Becker’s Healthcare. Arielle Zionts and Sar...

Rural Health Today is excited to welcome to the show Ewa Panetta, director of community health impact and engagement at the Michigan Health & Hospital Association. Today we’re talking about rural health safety nets and what it takes to provide access to healthcare in underserved communities. Ewa will share here perspective of how rural health has been fractured by a lack of resources and adequate...

Rural Health News is a weekly segment of Rural Health Today, a podcast by Hillsdale Hospital. News sources for this episode: Ella Ruder, “Magellan of Idaho to cut peer support, mobile mental health services,” November 21, 2025, https://www.beckersbehavioralhealth.com/behavioral-health-news/magellan-of-idaho-to-cut-peer-support-mobile-mental-health-services/, Becker’s Healthcare. Ella Ruder, “Idaho...

Today, we’re back talking with John Barnas, who answers your questions on how to maintain teleheath capabilities in rural settings. Follow Rural Health Today on social media! ⁠https://x.com/RuralHealthPod⁠ ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@ruralhealthtoday7665⁠  Follow Hillsdale Hospital on social media! ⁠https://www.facebook.com/hillsdalehospital/⁠ ⁠https://www.twitter.com/hillsdalehosp/⁠ ⁠https://www.li...

Rural Health News is a weekly segment of Rural Health Today, a podcast by Hillsdale Hospital. News sources for this episode: Marc Schollett, “Michigan lawmakers challenge rural healthcare funding criteria,” February 9, 2026, https://upnorthlive.com/news/local/michigan-lawmakers-challenge-rural-healthcare-funding-criteria, Up North Live. Covista, “Covista Care Capacity Monitor,” https://www.covista...

Part two of our conversation with John Barnas, Executive Director at the Michigan Center for Rural Health. We continue our discussion on how rural healthcare professionals and organizations can prepare their states for the impact of funding cuts at the federal level. We’ll talk about the Rural Health Transformation Fund, how to navigate HHS and CMS guidelines and of course, what it all has to do w...

Rural Health News is a weekly segment of Rural Health Today, a podcast by Hillsdale Hospital. News sources for this episode: Marc Schollett, “Michigan lawmakers challenge rural healthcare funding criteria,” February 9, 2026, https://upnorthlive.com/news/local/michigan-lawmakers-challenge-rural-healthcare-funding-criteria, Up North Live. Covista, “Covista Care Capacity Monitor,” https://www.covista...

In this episode, John Barnas, executive director at the Michigan Center for Rural Health, discusses how rural healthcare professionals and organizations can prepare their states for the impact of funding cuts at the federal level. We’ll talk about the Rural Health Transformation Fund, how to navigate HHS and CMS guidelines and of course, what it all has to do with rural health.  Follow Rural Healt...

Rural Health News is a weekly segment of Rural Health Today, a podcast by Hillsdale Hospital. News sources for this episode: Kevin B. O’Reilly, “8 wins for doctors, patients in latest federal budget deal,” February 3, 2026, https://www.ama-assn.org/health-care-advocacy/federal-advocacy/8-wins-doctors-patients-latest-federal-budget-deal, American Medical Association. Selena Simmons-Duffin, “With an...

In part two of our episode with Dr. Shepard, we’ll talk about the current outlook of healthcare in Michigan and beyond. With funding cuts and policy changes, hospitals are bracing for severe challenges ahead, but how can we address our concerns with our public and our state? We’ll talk about social health equity, the Rural Health Transformation Fund and of course, what it all has to do with rural...

Rural Health News is a weekly segment of Rural Health Today, a podcast by Hillsdale Hospital. News sources for this episode: Mackenzie Bean, “Hospitals awarded new Medicare-funded residency slots: A breakdown,” January 28, 2026, https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/quality/hospital-physician-relationships/hospitals-awarded-new-medicare-funded-residency-slots-a-breakdown/, Becker’s Hospital Review...

In this episode, we’ll talk about the current outlook of healthcare in Michigan and beyond. With funding cuts and policy changes, hospitals are bracing for severe challenges ahead, but how can we address our concerns with our public and our state? We’ll talk about social health equity, the Rural Health Transformation Fund and of course, what it all has to do with rural health Follow Rural Health T...

Rural Health News is a weekly segment of Rural Health Today, a podcast by Hillsdale Hospital. News sources for this episode: The White House, “The Great Healthcare Plan,” January 16, 2026, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fUzNupJidq4. The White House, “The Great Healthcare Plan,” January 2026, https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/The-Great-Healthcare-Plan.pdf. Cynthia Cox, “The ‘Gr...

Health policy is instrumental to how hospitals are equipped to serve their patients. In this episode, Chad Mulvany, healthcare consulting director at Forvis Mazars, will share his perspective on what’s going on in health policy and what to expect in the coming year. We’ll talk about federal finances, the future of insurance, and of course, what it all has to do with rural health.  Hear the rest of...

Rural Health News is a weekly segment of Rural Health Today, a podcast by Hillsdale Hospital. News sources for this episode: Jared Ortaliza, “ACA Signups are Down, But Still an Incomplete Picture,” January 12, 2026, https://www.kff.org/quick-take/aca-signups-are-down-but-still-an-incomplete-picture/, KFF. Sam Gringlas, “House votes to renew ACA subsidies, as Senate Republicans rebuke Trump on Vene...

Every day, there’s a new alarming headline for healthcare. In this episode, we’ll explore the most pressing and lasting issues in governmental affairs for healthcare. Travis Robey, vice president of political affairs at the American Hospital Association, will share how the failure to extend enhanced premium tax credits is impacting reimbursement, what to expect to see in rural health legislation i...