Michigan has some of the largest rural health needs in the country, particularly for primary care, mental health and obstetrics services. Support specific to these needs is needed to support rural hospitals, who operate in an increasingly challenging financial environment with a higher reliance on state and federal reimbursement models given the patient populations they serve.
The MHA Center of Rural Excellence was established to ensure Michigan’s policymakers hear and understand the unique challenges rural hospitals face and that those challenges are not overshadowed by broader healthcare discussions. This unified voice for rural hospitals provides a clearer, more compelling mandate to act.
Michigan has the fourth-most residents living in a rural county with either a complete or partial primary care workforce shortage.
Michigan is sixth in the country for the number of residents who live in a rural county with a full or partial mental health workforce shortage.
40% of rural Michigan counties lack a practicing OB/GYN in its borders.
Because rural hospitals:
Disclaimer: This grant is supported by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $8.625 million, with 100% funding provided by CMS/HHS. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement by, CMS/HHS or the U.S. Government.
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Members with questions may contact the MHA Center of Rural Excellence.
Phone: (517) 703-8601
Fax: (517) 703-0628
