February 7, 2025
New JRH Article on Digital Health Technology
The National Journal of Rural Health (JRH) recently published a new article on Medicare telehealth utilization by Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) prior to and during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Click Here to Read full article
February 5, 2025
Why Travel Time is Better Indicator of Access than Zip Codes
Patients who travel longer distances to emergency facilities are more likely to present with more severe medical conditions, highlighting travel time as a key indicator of health care access. Additionally, health care leaders look a how organizations can use social determinants of health to reduce disparities in underserved communities.
Click Here to Read “Travel time is better indicator of access than ZIP codes, study suggests”.
Click Here to Read “Reducing Disparities and Promoting Health Equity in Underserved Communities with Social Determinants of Health”.
February 5, 2025
NRHA Webinar: How Critical Access Hospitals like Grand River Health are Overcoming Staffing and Compliance challenges with CDM Outsourcing, February 25
Grand River Health, a Critical Access Hospital with two Rural health Clinics and one Long-Term Care Center, recognized an opportunity in the changes they faced when their tenured CDM expert retired.
Weighing the impact of recruiting qualified talent and managing the cost of training and retaining resources, Grand River Health leaned on their partners to guide their exciting transformation.
Join this webinar to explore how outsourcing their Charge Description Master (CDM) process provided a sustainable solution. Hear from Grand River Health Controller, Theresa Wagenman, and industry expert Melissa Burris as they share insights on overcoming these challenges, achieving compliance, and improving financial sustainability. Discover the tangible benefits of proactive CDM management through expert led strategies and innovative technology.
This session is perfect for rural healthcare leaders and financial professionals looking to enhance comp0liance, efficiency, and financial health through sustainable CDM practices.
Cost: Free
When: Tuesday, February 25, 1:00 – 2:00 p.m.
Click Here to Register
February 5, 2025
New JRH Articles on Physical Therapy Utilization and More
The National Rural Health Association’s (NRHA’s) Journal of Rural Health (JRH) published articles on the following topics:
February 5, 2025
These are the Top 5 Policies to Transform Rural Health
As a new administration takes the reins in Washington, the National Rural Health Association (NRHA) is mobilizing to work with policymakers to implement transformative policy changes to improve rural health care and other hospital leaders are also expressing their concerns.
Top 5 Policies to Transform Rural Health
NRHA CEO Alan Morgan has released a statement as a rebuttal to the troublesome findings in a recent OIC report on CAH swing bed reimbursement. We can address the needs of rural communities and their hospitals through direct advocacy.
Click Here to Read “The top 5 policies to transform rural health”.
Click Here to Read “What hospitals want from Donald Trump and the new Congress”.
Click Here to Read “NRHA statement on OIG swing bed report”.
Click Here to Read “Cut swing-bed pay rates to match skilled nursing reimbursement and save billions, OIG tells CMS”.
January 22, 2025
NRHA Webinar: How to Secure Funding for Digital Health: Federal Grants and Telehealth for Rural Hospitals, January 29
Securing federal grants is critical for rural hospitals to implement and sustain telehealth programs. This session offers practical strategies to access funding and make telehealth a long-term solution for your community.
Angela Connor, a grant expert with a proven track record of helping rural hospitals secure millions in federal funding, will share actionable insights on navigating the complex grant process. Her work has directly supported hospitals in expanding telehealth programs and improving access to care in underserved communities.
Dr. Anisha Mathur, a telehealth leader with extensive experience working in critical access hospitals, will discuss how rural facilities can use virtual care to deliver high quality, specialty services while keeping patients local. Her real-world examples highlight what’s possible when funding aligns with a strong telehealth strategy.
Attendees will learn:
This session equips rural healthcare leaders with actionable tools to secure financial support and enhance care delivery for their communities.
Cost: Free
When: Wednesday, January 29, 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. CT
Click Here to Register
January 22, 2025
How Private Equity Reduces Patient Care, Enriches Investors
A yearlong bipartisan congressional investigation into two private equity-backed hospital systems found that patient care deteriorated at both operations as their private equity owners reaped significant payouts on their investments in the systems.
Additionally, analysts expect to see hospitals recording modest gains in their operating margins over the coming year. They see encouraging signs with labor pressures easing a bit and improved volumes.
Click Here to Read More
December 31, 2024
New JRH Articles on Medicaid Expansion’s Racial Impact, More
The latest issue of the National Rural Health Association’s (NRHA’s) Journal of Rural Health (JRH) is now available online featuring original articles and research on topics including:
Click Here to Read NRHA Journal of Rural Health
December 31, 2024
Stroudwater Releases Physician Compensation Survey Results
The 2024 Rural Provider Compensation Report by Stroudwater Associates Principal Opal H. Greenway in partnership with the National Rural Health Association (NRHA) and the National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health (NOSORH) offers critical insights to help rural hospitals address these issues thoughtfully and strategically.
This report reflects input from 199 organizations across 42 states, representing more than 2,800 providers. The data highlights areas where rural hospitals must adapt to remain competitive and sustainable.
Click Here to Access the Full Report
Click Here to Sign up to Participate Next Year
December 31, 2024
Article: Why Hospital Violence is a Public Health Emergency
A distressing 80 percent of emergency room doctors say violence has impacted patient care and safety where they work. Half of emergency physicians note they have witnessed harm to patients in the emergency department, and 47 percent report they themselves have been assaulted at work.
Since the pandemic, 44 percent of nurses report an increase in physical violence and 68 percent report an increase in verbal abuse. Additionally, health care violence prevention expert Kimberly Urbanek recently discussed ways to reduce violence, protect workers, and empower staff.
Click Here to Read Article: Hospital Workplace Violence is a Public Health Emergency
Click Here to Read Article: Taking a Proactive Approach to Reducing Violence in Healthcare
