Rural Health Today

Rural Health News is a weekly segment of Rural Health Today, a podcast by Hillsdale Hospital. Rural Health Today is a production of Hillsdale Hospital in Hillsdale, Michigan and a member of the Health Podcast Network. Our host is JJ Hodshire, our producer is Kyrsten Newlon, and our audio engineer is Kenji Ulmer. Special thanks to our special guests for sharing their expertise on the show, and also...

From emergency rooms to board rooms, systems of healthcare rely on credible and continuous data. In this episode, Jim Lee, Senior Vice President of Data Policy and Analytics at the Michigan Health and Hospital Association, will provide valuable insight into how data is linked to patient care and policy. We’ll talk about AI, advocacy, and of course, what it all has to do with rural health.  Follow...

Rural Health News is a weekly segment of Rural Health Today, a podcast by Hillsdale Hospital. News sources for this episode: Ella Jeffries, “CMS approves rural health awards for all 50 states,” December 29, 2025, https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/financial/cms-awards-50b-to-states-for-rural-health-transformation/, Becker’s Hospital Review. CMS.gov, “CMS Announces Establishment of the Office of...

Happy 2026, Rural Health Today listeners! In this holiday episode, Producer Kyrsten Newlon will recap the past year of podcasting, offer a few hints at what’s to come in 2026, and recognize the individuals who have contributed to the show this year. Follow Rural Health Today on social media! ⁠⁠https://x.com/RuralHealthPod⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@ruralhealthtoday7665⁠⁠  Follow Hillsdale Hospita...

Today, we are in the studio with hosts JJ and Kyrsten, who present a special reading of a Christmas classic with a little twist. Follow Rural Health Today on social media! ⁠https://x.com/RuralHealthPod⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@ruralhealthtoday7665⁠  Follow Hillsdale Hospital on social media! ⁠https://www.facebook.com/hillsdalehospital/⁠ ⁠https://www.twitter.com/hillsdalehosp/⁠ ⁠https://www.linked...

Rural Health News is a weekly segment of Rural Health Today, a podcast by Hillsdale Hospital. News sources for this episode: Paige Twenter, “‘Withdrawal crisis’ strains hospitals in several states: 5 notes,” December 16, 2025, https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/quality/patient-safety-outcomes/withdrawal-crisis-strains-hospitals-in-several-states-5-notes/, Becker’s Clinical Leadership. Centers f...

Today, we’re back talking with Jeremy Cannon, who answers your questions on how to build successful relationships between clinicians and administrators. Follow Rural Health Today on social media! https://x.com/RuralHealthPodhttps://www.youtube.com/@ruralhealthtoday7665  Follow Hillsdale Hospital on social media! https://www.facebook.com/hillsdalehospital/ https://www.twitter.com/hillsdalehosp/ htt...

Rural Health News is a weekly segment of Rural Health Today, a podcast by Hillsdale Hospital. News sources for this episode: American Hospital Association, “Dueling Senate bills to address health care affordability fail to pass,” December 11, 2025, https://www.aha.org/news/headline/2025-12-11-dueling-senate-bills-address-health-care-affordability-fail-pass. Chris Stein, “Senate rejects dual health...

To sustain high-quality services in our rural communities, hospitals and health centers have to think outside the box for creative community-based solutions. Jeremy is here to share his experience bringing health services to a rural community in northern Michigan. We’ll talk about community partnerships, building a talent pipeline for our healthcare workforce, and of course, what it all has to do...

Rural Health News is a weekly segment of Rural Health Today, a podcast by Hillsdale Hospital. News sources for this episode: American Hospital Association, “AHA, other file suit to block unlawful 340B changes threatening patient care,” December 1, 2025, https://www.aha.org/news/headline/2025-12-01-aha-others-file-suit-block-unlawful-340b-changes-threatening-patient-care. Bridget Early, “Home healt...

Healthcare is impacted by the way we structure our local and state governments. In this episode, Senator Aric Nesbitt will give us a glimpse into his perspective of those structures and how healthcare fits into the bigger picture. We’ll talk about the importance of education, preparing the next generation for economic stability, and what it all has to do with rural health. Follow Rural Health Toda...

Rural Health News is a weekly segment of Rural Health Today, a podcast by Hillsdale Hospital. Rural Health Today is a production of Hillsdale Hospital in Hillsdale, Michigan and a member of the Health Podcast Network. Our host is JJ Hodshire, our producer is Kyrsten Newlon, and our audio engineer is Kenji Ulmer. Special thanks to our special guests for sharing their expertise on the show, and also...

Happy Thanksgiving from Rural Health Today! In this episode, JJ takes a moment to give thanks to those who give so much to make rural hospitals and communities possible. 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.twitt...

Rural Health News is a weekly segment of Rural Health Today, a podcast by Hillsdale Hospital. News sources for this episode: Alan Condon, “CMS issues guidance on new tax limits to close Medicaid ‘loophole’: 10 things to know,” November 18, 2025, https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/finance/cms-issues-guidance-on-new-tax-limits-to-close-medicaid-loophole-10-things-to-know/?origin=RCME&utm_source=R...

Today we're back with Scott Becker discussing how to navigate the noisy world of healthcare news. Rural Health Today is a production of Hillsdale Hospital in Hillsdale, Michigan and a member of the Health Podcast Network. Our host is JJ Hodshire, our producer is Kyrsten Newlon, and our audio engineer is Kenji Ulmer. Special thanks to the Hillsdale Hospital marketing team. If you want to submit a q...

Rural Health News is a weekly segment of Rural Health Today, a podcast by Hillsdale Hospital. News sources for this episode: Katherine Tully-McManus Et. Al, “House votes to reopen government after 43-day shutdown,” November 12, 2025, https://www.politico.com/news/2025/11/12/house-votes-to-reopen-government-after-43-day-shutdown-00649927, Politico.  Lauren Gibbons and Eli Newmon, “What shutdown dea...

In this episode, we’re talking about how to navigate the current state of healthcare news with insight and understanding. Healthcare has been a top contender for breaking news headlines all year, and many conversations that once belonged exclusively in health and science are now common political debates. Scott is here to share his perspective and insight as one of the most trusted sources for heal...

Rural Health News is a weekly segment of Rural Health Today, a podcast by Hillsdale Hospital. News sources for this episode: MedHOK, “How the Government Shutdown Impacts Open Enrollment: What Health Plans and PBMs Need to Know,” October 29, 2025, https://mhk.com/resource/blog/government-shutdown-healthcare-impact-on-open-enrollment-what-health-plans-and-pbms-need-to-know/.  Medicare, “Open Enrollm...

The state of national healthcare has never been quite this tumultuous. As funding hits the chopping block and rural hospitals scramble to prop their doors open, we look to organizations like the MHA to provide much-needed guidance. We’ll talk about advocacy leadership, the ripple effect of funding cuts, and of course, what it all has to do with rural health. Follow Rural Health Today on social med...

Rural Health News is a weekly segment of Rural Health Today, a podcast by Hillsdale Hospital. News sources for this episode: Rayna Wallace et al., “8 Things to Watch for the 2026 ACA Open Enrollment Period,” October 28, 2025, https://www.kff.org/affordable-care-act/8-things-to-watch-for-the-2026-aca-open-enrollment-period/, KFF Health News.  Sudiksha Kochi, “Here are 6 ways the government shutdown...

Leading rural hospitals has become a challenging pursuit for this generation of CEOs. We’re facing drastic funding cuts, policies that threaten healthcare sustainability, and a country that has been gradually losing its trust in the field of health and science. Tim is here to share the lessons he’s learned as the CEO of Eaton Rapids Medical Center. We’ll talk about how we support our communities,...

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, “340B Drug Pricing Program & Pharmacy,” https://www.ruralhealth.us/advocacy/advocacy-priority-areas/340b-drug-pricing-program National Rural Health Association, “Rural 340B: NRHA Factsheet and Talking Points,” https://www.ruralhealth.us/nat...

Rural health faces a dangerous future with cuts to Medicaid, Medicare and other vital funding sources right around the corner. There’s been a lot of talk about the Rural Health Transformation Fund, but will it really benefit the hospitals that need it the most? Lauren LaPine is here to share her perspective and insight as a state expert in healthcare legislation and policy. We’ll talk about the ap...

Healthcare strategy has a far-reaching impact on patients, systems and communities. Lee Ann Odom is here to share her perspective and insight as a principal at PYA. We’ll talk about patient care, healthcare legislation, and of course, what it all has to do with rural health. Follow Rural Health Today on social media! https://x.com/RuralHealthPod https://www.youtube.com/@ruralhealthtoday7665  Follo...

Rural Health News is a weekly segment of Rural Health Today, a podcast by Hillsdale Hospital. Rural Health Today is a production of Hillsdale Hospital in Hillsdale, Michigan and a member of the Health Podcast Network. Our host is JJ Hodshire, our producer is Kyrsten Newlon, and our audio engineer is Kenji Ulmer. Special thanks to our special guests for sharing their expertise on the show, and also...