California State Rural Health Association

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California State Rural Health Association

Improving the quality and length of life
of rural Californians through advocacy, collaboration and education.

21/11/2025

How will federal policy changes affect Medi-Cal and California’s rural safety nets?

State leaders shared insights during the latest CalHHS Connect webinar, highlighting plans to strengthen access and equity in rural healthcare.

📖 Learn more: https://vist.ly/4fivu

14/11/2025

Rep. Doug LaMalfa has introduced the Rural Hospital Fairness Act, aiming to restore Critical Access status for hospitals like Glenn Medical Center.

If passed, the bill would restore vital funding and help keep rural hospitals open across California.

📖 Read more: https://vist.ly/4ej83

12/11/2025

Adventist Health Clear Lake has withdrawn from a planned $50 million clinic project in Clearlake due to looming Medicaid cuts under the new federal “One Big Beautiful Bill Act.” The facility would have served up to 165,000 patients annually.

City officials say they’re seeking new partners to keep the project alive.

📖 Read more: https://vist.ly/4e4i8

28/10/2025

California has been building innovative programs to keep doctors in rural areas, but these efforts are now at risk.

Healthy Rural California, a nonprofit in Northern California, has been training family medicine residents locally to encourage them to stay and serve in underserved communities. These “grow your own” models are proving to be one of the most effective ways to address the rural doctor shortage, which leaves many families traveling hours for care.

The challenge is that looming federal and state budget cuts could dismantle these programs just as they are showing results. Without consistent support, rural communities will lose a pipeline of new physicians and face deeper shortages in the years ahead.

These programs are essential to closing the gap in access to care and must be protected to ensure long term stability for rural healthcare.

👉 Learn more about the challenges here: https://vist.ly/4c3i7

16/10/2025

El Centro Regional Medical Center has received debt relief through California’s Distressed Hospital Loan Program, giving the facility some breathing room after years of financial hardship.

- The hospital faced steep monthly losses from low Medi-Cal reimbursements and rising operating costs

- A cyber attack earlier this year made finances even worse

- Without relief, essential services for Imperial County residents would have been in jeopardy

With debt relief in place and a turnaround plan approved, the hospital is stabilizing operations and continuing to serve as a critical safety net for one of California’s most rural counties.

👉 Read more here: https://vist.ly/4aqi4

07/10/2025

The Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) is now accepting applications, with a deadline of November 5, 2025. This $50 billion federal fund will invest $10 billion each year from 2026–2030 to support rural hospitals and clinics.

At a time when many rural facilities are facing mounting financial challenges, this program represents a lifeline for communities that cannot afford to lose local care.

👉 Learn more about how states can apply: https://vist.ly/49m57

06/10/2025

Artificial intelligence is no longer a future concept - it is already shaping how rural providers work, communicate, and deliver care.

In Episode 52 of This Is Rural Health, Nate Sundheimer, Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree and Director of Digital & Tech Strategy at Wipfli, joins CSRHA to explain how AI can help rural health leaders do more with less.

Nate shares real examples of affordable, non-clinical AI that reduces staff burnout, improves operations, and strengthens patient outcomes. He also breaks down how to evaluate vendors, calculate ROI, and integrate technology without disrupting workflow.

You will also hear insights from Wipfli’s national survey of rural healthcare executives, revealing how AI is already supporting daily operations behind the scenes.

🎧 Listen now to learn practical ways to make AI work for your organization.
👉 https://vist.ly/49hsp

22/09/2025

Applications are opening this month for the $50 billion Rural Health Transformation Fund — one of the largest federal investments in rural health in recent history.

The program will distribute $10 billion annually from 2026 through 2030 to:
– Keep rural hospitals open and financially stable
– Expand essential healthcare services in underserved areas
– Offset the impact of ongoing Medicaid funding cuts

This fund could be a game-changer for rural hospitals and the families who rely on them.

👉 Learn more about the application process and what it means for California: https://vist.ly/47qev

19/09/2025

🌟 Now Accepting Applications! 🌟

CSRHA is seeking passionate leaders to join our Board of Directors and help shape the future of rural health care in California.

Complete the online application form today: csrha.org/board-of-directors-application

📩 Questions? Email assistant@csrha.org

Don’t miss this chance to make a big impact in rural health! 💙

17/09/2025

California has launched two major behavioral health workforce initiatives aimed at tackling the growing shortage of providers in rural and underserved areas.

– The Medi-Cal Behavioral Health Student Loan Repayment Program will offer up to $240,000 in loan repayment for qualified providers who commit to working at Medi-Cal service sites.

– The Medi-Cal Behavioral Health Residency Training Program will provide up to $250,000 per residency position annually, helping fund psychiatry and addiction medicine training programs that directly serve Medi-Cal populations.

Rural California has long struggled with limited behavioral health access. These programs are designed to attract and retain providers in the areas that need them most, ensuring families and communities have better access to mental health and substance use treatment.

👉 Read how these investments could reshape access to behavioral health in rural regions: https://vist.ly/477y2

09/09/2025

Valley fever cases are climbing at an alarming rate across rural California. By the end of July 2025, the state had already logged more than 6,700 provisional cases — nearly double the 10-year average for this point in the year.

Where it’s hitting hardest:
– Kern County remains the epicenter with nearly 2,000 cases this year.
– Monterey County has seen a staggering 260% increase, with 348 cases by July.
– Ventura County has recorded a 92% rise compared with its baseline.

Experts say the pattern is tied to alternating wet winters and hot, dusty summers — conditions that allow fungal spores to thrive and spread. Climate-driven dust storms and land use changes are also carrying spores into regions that had rarely seen outbreaks before.

Health officials urge rural residents to take simple precautions: stay indoors on windy dusty days, use car air recirculation, and wear an N95 mask when working outdoors in soil-rich environments.

👉 Learn more about how valley fever is impacting rural California and the steps communities are taking to respond: https://vist.ly/468jc

25/08/2025

AI is everywhere in the headlines, but what does it really mean for rural healthcare? 🤔

In the latest episode of This Is Rural Health, Nate Sundheimer, Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree and Director of Digital & Tech Strategy at Wipfli, helps cut through the noise. He explains what’s hype, what’s working today, and how AI can help rural providers do more with less.

🎧 Listen now: https://vist.ly/44imh

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