Category: Rural Health Updates

MHA Releases Initial Rural Health Transformation Program Funding

Kennedy Walters August 6, 2026 No Comments

The MHA Center of Rural Excellence released the initial $8.6 million in Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) funding to MHA members who submitted qualifying applications the week of Aug. 3....

Recent Coverage Highlights AI Innovation, Rural Health Challenges and Cyclospora Response

Kennedy Walters July 24, 2026 No Comments

A July 21 Detroit News story explored how health systems across the state are using artificial intelligence to improve diagnosis and treatment. The article highlighted the MHA’s AI Framework for...

MHA Submits Comments on Rural Development Fund 2027 Guidelines

Kennedy Walters July 24, 2026 No Comments

The MHA recently submitted comments to the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) and the Office of Rural Prosperity regarding the proposed 2027 Rural Development Fund guidelines, encouraging...

Media Coverage Highlights Workforce and Rural Healthcare Challenges

Kennedy Walters July 10, 2026 No Comments

MHA Chief Nursing Officer Amy Brown joined CBS Detroit to discuss new federal student loan borrowing limits that took effect July 1, warning how they could create additional barriers for...

MHA Center of Rural Excellence Board Convenes Inaugural Meeting

Kennedy Walters July 10, 2026 No Comments

The MHA Center of Rural Excellence held its first Board of Directors meeting June 24 during the 2026 MHA Annual Membership Meeting. The board conducted organizational business focused on governance,...

Crain’s: Sturgis Hospital closure fuels fears for rural care in Michigan

Kennedy Walters June 18, 2026 No Comments

Lauren LaPine-Ray, vice president, policy & rural health, MHA, and executive director, MHA Center of Rural Excellence, spoke with Crain’s Detroit Business following the June 16 closure announcement for Sturgis...

Bipartisan Policy Center to Host Webinar on Rural Health Transformation Program

Kennedy Walters June 12, 2026 No Comments

The Bipartisan Policy Center will host a webinar June 30 from 11 a.m. to noon EDT on how states are leveraging funding through the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) to...

HRSA Finalizes Maternity Care Target Area Changes

Kennedy Walters May 29, 2026 No Comments

The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) recently finalized updates to the criteria for designating Maternity Care Health Professional Target Areas, effective Aug. 15, 2026. The revised methodology removes the...

Safe Table to Focus on Medication Safety in Rural Hospitals

Kennedy Walters May 8, 2026 No Comments

The MHA Keystone Center Patient Safety Organization (PSO) will host an in-person Safe Table on May 28 at Mackinac Straits Hospital in St. Ignace. The session will focus on strategies...

House Passes 2026 Farm Bill with Rural Health Provisions

Kennedy Walters May 8, 2026 No Comments

The U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 7567, the Farm, Food and National Security Act of 2026, on April 30, which includes several provisions supporting rural healthcare infrastructure, broadband expansion...