About Rural Health Care
California’s rural hospitals are essential lifelines for over 2 million residents, providing critical health care services and acting as economic anchors in their communities. However, these hospitals face severe financial challenges, with more than half operating at a loss. This financial strain has led to the reduction or elimination of vital services, such as obstetrics and cancer treatments. The California Hospital Association is actively advocating for immediate financial support for the development of sustainable funding models to ensure that all Californians, regardless of location, have access to the health care they need and deserve.
The California Critical Access Hospital Network (CCAHN) creates collaborative working relationships among California’s critical access hospitals to strengthen their ability to care for their communities through sharing resources, education, and innovation.
HRSA Delays Withdrawal of Health Professional Shortage Area Designations
What’s happening: The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) has announced that health professional storage areas (HPSAs) placed in a “proposed for withdrawal” status will maintain their current HPSA status through approximately July 1, 2027.
HCAI Releases New Details on CalRHT Funding Opportunities
What’s happening: The Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI) this week released details on forthcoming grants under the California Rural Health Transformation (CalRHT) program. The first opportunity is intended for “accelerator partners,” aimed at supporting collaborative models to strengthen primary and maternity care in rural communities; a grant guide is now available and applications will open...
Tool Available to Help Hospitals Find Partners to Secure Rural Health Funding
As California’s rural hospitals work to secure funding via the federal Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP), a new tool is available to help them find partners to prepare their grant proposals.
2026 Behavioral Health Care Symposium
This year’s symposium will tackle the most pressing challenges facing behavioral health care professionals and offer insights into complying with California’s shifting policies. Explore the issues keeping behavioral health care professionals up at night and learn innovative ways to connect patients to community-based care. Sessions will cover nursing ratios, perinatal mental health, EmPATH, co-responder models, […]
Applications for Distressed Hospital Small Grant Program Due May 18
What’s happening: Following the governor’s signing of Assembly Bill 108 (Gabriel, D-Encino) last week, the Department of Health Care Access and Information has established the Distressed Hospital Small Grant Program, which will provide $25 million to assist hospitals in immediate and severe financial distress. HCAI has released the grant application, which is due May 18 by 5 p.m. (PT).
CHA Briefing Highlights Financial Strain Facing Rural Hospitals
What’s happening: On Tuesday, CHA held a briefing for legislative staff on the financial realities of rural health care survival.
Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Health Gets Update on DHLP, Rural Health Transformation Program
What’s happening: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Health met this week to receive an update from the Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI) on the Distressed Hospital Loan Program (DHLP), as well as implementation of the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP).
Rural Health Care Matters
I had the privilege earlier this week to welcome and join one of the most important gatherings of rural health care leaders in California: CHA’s annual Rural Health Care Symposium.
New Documents Available on Rural Health Transformation Program
What’s happening: The Department of Healthcare Access and Information (HCAI) has released two documents — FAQs and briefing slides — on the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP).
Rural Health in the Spotlight at Annual CHA Symposium
Am looking forward to joining CHA’s annual Rural Health Care Symposium — less than three weeks away — which provides a meaningful opportunity for California’s rural health leaders to connect, share, and learn from one another, key state lawmakers, and policy experts.