Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Hospitals
Rural Hospitals in Pennsylvania in the Context of Healthcare Market Consolidations
Provides an assessment of rural hospitals in Pennsylvania, comparing them to urban hospitals. Examines factors potentially associated with mergers, acquisitions, and health system affiliations, based on interviews and virtual site visits with selected hospitals from 2016-2023. Includes county-level data on available services, utilization, number of beds and more.
Author(s): Yunfeng Shi, Amy Yeung, Tess Wilson, Lisa Davis
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organization: Center for Rural Pennsylvania
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Provides an assessment of rural hospitals in Pennsylvania, comparing them to urban hospitals. Examines factors potentially associated with mergers, acquisitions, and health system affiliations, based on interviews and virtual site visits with selected hospitals from 2016-2023. Includes county-level data on available services, utilization, number of beds and more.
Author(s): Yunfeng Shi, Amy Yeung, Tess Wilson, Lisa Davis
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organization: Center for Rural Pennsylvania
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FY 2022 Mississippi State Health Plan: Fourth Edition - Amended
Offers criteria and standards for health-related activities in Mississippi which require Certificate of Need review. Features sections on workforce, long-term care, mental health, perinatal care, acute care, rehabilitation services, and other services. Mentions rural throughout.
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organization: Mississippi State Department of Health
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Offers criteria and standards for health-related activities in Mississippi which require Certificate of Need review. Features sections on workforce, long-term care, mental health, perinatal care, acute care, rehabilitation services, and other services. Mentions rural throughout.
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organization: Mississippi State Department of Health
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Rural & Safety Net Health Facilities in Arizona: FORHP Rural Areas Highlighted / Frontier and Remote (FAR)
Map of Arizona's Critical Access Hospitals, Indian Health Service and Tribal Facilities, Rural Health Clinics, and Federally Qualified Health Centers. Highlights FORHP rural area and USDA frontier and remote area definitions.
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organization: Arizona Center for Rural Health
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Map of Arizona's Critical Access Hospitals, Indian Health Service and Tribal Facilities, Rural Health Clinics, and Federally Qualified Health Centers. Highlights FORHP rural area and USDA frontier and remote area definitions.
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organization: Arizona Center for Rural Health
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Rural & Safety Net Health Facilities in Arizona
Map of Critical Access Hospitals, Indian Health Service and Tribal Facilities, Rural Health Clinics, and Federally Qualified Health Centers in Arizona.
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organization: Arizona Center for Rural Health
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Map of Critical Access Hospitals, Indian Health Service and Tribal Facilities, Rural Health Clinics, and Federally Qualified Health Centers in Arizona.
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organization: Arizona Center for Rural Health
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Beyond Geography: Using a Cluster-Based Analysis to Conceptualize the Rurality of Veterans Health Administration Hospitals
Presents a study exploring non-geographic factors of Veterans Health Administration (VHA) hospitals that facilitate or impede access to care for rural veterans. Compares hospital complexity, number of veteran enrollees, and average drive times by percentage of rural veterans served by the 110 VHA hospitals surveyed.
Author(s): Alexandra B. Caloudas, Michihiko Goto, M. Bryant Howren, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 42(3), e70195
Date: 08/2026
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Presents a study exploring non-geographic factors of Veterans Health Administration (VHA) hospitals that facilitate or impede access to care for rural veterans. Compares hospital complexity, number of veteran enrollees, and average drive times by percentage of rural veterans served by the 110 VHA hospitals surveyed.
Author(s): Alexandra B. Caloudas, Michihiko Goto, M. Bryant Howren, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 42(3), e70195
Date: 08/2026
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Rural Residence and Postsurgical Outcomes Among Medicare Beneficiaries
Explores the post-surgical outcomes of Medicare beneficiaries undergoing four common inpatient general surgery operations: appendectomy, cholecystectomy, colectomy, or incisional hernia repair. Compares quality outcomes including mortality, complications, 30-day readmissions, and discharge disposition for rural and nonrural Medicare beneficiaries using Medicare Provider Analysis and Review (MEDPAR) data from 2016 to 2023.
Author(s): Cody Lendon Mullens, Adrian Diaz, Brooke C. Bredbeck, et al.
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 9(8), e2626959
Date: 08/2026
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Explores the post-surgical outcomes of Medicare beneficiaries undergoing four common inpatient general surgery operations: appendectomy, cholecystectomy, colectomy, or incisional hernia repair. Compares quality outcomes including mortality, complications, 30-day readmissions, and discharge disposition for rural and nonrural Medicare beneficiaries using Medicare Provider Analysis and Review (MEDPAR) data from 2016 to 2023.
Author(s): Cody Lendon Mullens, Adrian Diaz, Brooke C. Bredbeck, et al.
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 9(8), e2626959
Date: 08/2026
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Indiana Kidney Program Improves Outcomes Through Proactive Care and Education
Profiles the Kidney Care Options (KCO) Program developed by Major Health Partners (MHP) in rural Shelby County, Indiana. Shares how the nurse-led, interdisciplinary KCO program provides patient education, care coordination, patient advocacy, and other supports early in the treatment process so patients can make informed decisions about their kidney care.
Author(s): Allee Mead
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Profiles the Kidney Care Options (KCO) Program developed by Major Health Partners (MHP) in rural Shelby County, Indiana. Shares how the nurse-led, interdisciplinary KCO program provides patient education, care coordination, patient advocacy, and other supports early in the treatment process so patients can make informed decisions about their kidney care.
Author(s): Allee Mead
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Federal Policy Priorities to Strengthen Rural Health and Maximize Rural Health Transformation Program Investments
Presents policy recommendations for Congressional and CMS actions to bolster rural health and ensure Rural Health Transformation Program investments are transparent, durable, and effective. Covers recommendations related to telehealth and health information technology investments, the rural healthcare workforce, and rural hospital programs and eligibility.
Author(s): Daisy Kim, Maya Sandalow
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organization: Bipartisan Policy Center
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Presents policy recommendations for Congressional and CMS actions to bolster rural health and ensure Rural Health Transformation Program investments are transparent, durable, and effective. Covers recommendations related to telehealth and health information technology investments, the rural healthcare workforce, and rural hospital programs and eligibility.
Author(s): Daisy Kim, Maya Sandalow
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organization: Bipartisan Policy Center
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CAH Quality Inventory & Assessment Resources
Provides a list of resources for Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) to use to complete the 2025 CAH Quality Inventory and Assessment (Assessment). Includes resources regarding the background and components of the Assessment and instructions for each question.
Author(s): Madeleine Pick, Robert Barclay, Megan Lahr
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organization: Flex Monitoring Team
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Provides a list of resources for Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) to use to complete the 2025 CAH Quality Inventory and Assessment (Assessment). Includes resources regarding the background and components of the Assessment and instructions for each question.
Author(s): Madeleine Pick, Robert Barclay, Megan Lahr
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organization: Flex Monitoring Team
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Calendar Year 2026 Medicare Promoting Interoperability Program Guide for Eligible Hospitals and Critical Access Hospitals
Provides an overview of the requirements of the Medicare Promoting Interoperability Program for calendar year 2026. Covers information about participation requirements, measures, data submission, and helpful resources.
Additional links: Infographic
Date: 07/2026
Sponsoring organizations: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Health Services Advisory Group
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Provides an overview of the requirements of the Medicare Promoting Interoperability Program for calendar year 2026. Covers information about participation requirements, measures, data submission, and helpful resources.
Additional links: Infographic
Date: 07/2026
Sponsoring organizations: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Health Services Advisory Group
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