Fact Sheets
Medicare pays most acute-care hospitals under the inpatient prospective payment system (IPPS). Some of these hospitals receive additional support from Medicare…
Rural Health Services
Some 57 million rural Americans depend on their hospital as an important source of care as well as a critical component of their area's economic and social fabric.
AHA ensures the unique needs of our members are a national priority. Location, size, workforce, payment and access to capital challenge small or rural hospitals and the communities they serve. Collaborating with state and regional hospital associations and with advice from its member council, the Section tracks the issues, develops policies and identifies solutions to our most pressing problems. We do this through:
- Representation and advocacy in Washington, DC
- Communication and education
- Executive leadership and technical assistance
- Innovation in payment and delivery
Rural Health Resources
Advocacy and Policy
The American Hospital Association has made improving access to rural health a top priority. Our advocacy agenda for lawmakers and policy recommendations to government agencies lay the groundwork for needed change to improve the system for patients. Click here for regulatory advisories, comment letters, fact sheets and our agendas.
Education
The American Hospital Association has a wealth of media and educational resources available to rural hospitals and health systems. Click here for reports, newsletters, podcasts, webinars, and more.
Tools and Resources
NEW: Rural Health Services Resources and ReferencesThe American Hospital Association is proud to feature the success stories of its members. Read a variety of case studies highlighting best practices, innovative techniques and new ideas from the field.
Grants
A curated library of grants, tools and other resources from AHA and others available to rural providers. Click here to see the collection.Explore Rural Health Services Topics
2022 Rural Advocacy Agenda
Rural hospitals and health systems have been on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic, working to provide quality care for patients, families and communities. Despite unprecedented financial and health care challenges, rural hospitals remain committed to ensuring local access to h...
Rural Report 2019
Across the nation, rural communities have experienced persistent, recent and emergent challenges that threaten rural hospitals’ ability to maintain access to health care services in their communities. The report, Challenges Facing Rural Communities and the Roadmap to Ensure Local Access...
Rural Health Update Newsletters
The Section for Small or Rural Hospitals provides its members two electronic newsletters, the Small or Rural Update and the CAH Update, which include the latest information on federal legislative and regulatory activity affecting payment, quality, and access to care.
The Small or Ru...
Rural Hospital Leadership Team Award
The Rural Hospital Leadership Team Award from the AHA Rural Health Services honors the leadership team who has guided their hospital and community through transformational change on the road to health care reform innovation. The team will have displayed outstanding leadership and r...
Related Resources
Letter/Comment
AHA voices support for the Assistance for Rural Community Hospitals (ARCH) Act.
Advancing Health Podcast
Some 57 million rural Americans depend on their hospital as an important source of care as well as a critical component of their area's economic and social…
Case Studies
On Friday, December 10, 2021, the deadliest tornado outbreak on record, for the month of December.
Case Studies
Rising costs and a shortage of health care providers make access to services challenging, especially in rural communities.
Action Alert
Like individuals and families across America, hospitals and health systems are dealing with the difficult challenges of high inflation and ongoing effects of…