About Rural Health Care
California’s nearly five dozen rural hospitals — providing care to more than 2 million people — are both lifelines and economic pillars for the communities they serve. Many of these hospitals are on the financial brink, reducing services just to stay open, or they face the possibility of closure. These situations place the most vulnerable populations at risk as Californians will have to travel great distances to get the care they need.
The California Critical Access Hospital Network (CCAHN) is a statewide organization which exists for the purpose of creating collaborative working relationships among California critical access hospitals to strengthen its members through sharing resources, education, and innovation.
Infographic: Rural Health Care
Issue Brief: California’s Rural Communities at Risk
When a rural hospital closes, those in poor health, seniors, and people experiencing poverty suffer the most.
Key Messages: Health Care at Risk for Millions
Nearly three-fifths of California’s rural hospitals are losing money every day delivering care to patients. That’s not sustainable.
Rural Health Care Access Is Statewide Concern
Health care access for more than 2 million Californians is shrinking.
CHA’s Rural Health Care Symposium to Focus on Financial Sustainability, Seismic Strategy, and More
What’s happening: CHA will host the 2024 Rural Health Care Symposium March 4-5 at the Rancho Bernardo Inn in San Diego.
What else to know: The symposium is designed specifically for leaders of California’s rural hospitals.
CHA Will Host 2024 Rural Health Care Symposium
What’s happening: CHA will host the 2024 Rural Health Care Symposium on March 4-5 at the Rancho Bernardo Inn in San Diego.
What else to know: Registration is open. CHA President & CEO Carmela Coyle and Stroudwater Managing Director Jeff Sommer are confirmed as speakers. The agenda is being finalized.
Office of Climate Change and Health Equity Launches Support Program
What’s happening: This month, the Office of Climate Change and Health Equity (OCCHE) launched an educational webinar series. It’s a “catalytic program” for health care providers to best utilize benefits included in the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).
What else to know: National education webinars for general IRA utilization will begin on Jan. 25. Registration for both the national sessions and breakout sessions (referenced below) is open on the program website.
Five California Teaching Hospitals Awarded Additional Residency Slots
What’s Happening: New graduate medical education (GME) residency slots have been allotted to teaching hospitals serving geographic areas and underserved populations.
What Else to Know: Applications for the third round of residency positions will open in January and close March 31.
2024 Rural Health Care Symposium
Join us in San Diego at the beautiful Rancho Bernardo Inn for the only symposium designed for California rural hospital leaders. Let’s gather to discuss the unique challenges facing rural hospitals and gain new insights on the many topics affecting health care.
Landmark Law for Critical Access Hospitals Takes Effect on Jan. 1
What’s happening: Nov. 16 is National Rural Health Day. But in California, many rural hospitals don’t have enough physicians to serve their patients.
What else to know: Starting in 2024, some rural hospitals — specifically, critical access hospitals — can directly employ physicians, with a goal of attracting them to smaller communities.