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.
CHA Symposium to Address Critical Issues Facing Rural Hospitals — Register Today
What’s happening: There is still time to register for CHA’s annual Rural Health Care Symposium on March 23-24 at the Kimpton Sawyer in Sacramento. Speakers will explore challenges faced by rural hospitals, and attendees will leave with valuable insights on a range of critical health care topics.
Rural Health Symposium to Explore Workforce, Care Coordination, and More
What’s happening: The agenda is set for CHA’s Rural Health Care Symposium, which will be held March 23-24 in Sacramento. This unique symposium, which is dedicated to California’s rural hospital leaders, will explore the specific challenges rural hospitals face and offer valuable insights into a range of critical health care topics.
Update on Rural Health Transformation Program
What’s happening: Following last year’s announcement of the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP), CHA has been in close communication with the Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI), which is responsible for determining how the funds are spent and implementing proposals the federal government approves.
2026 Rural Health Care Symposium
Join us in Sacramento at the Kimpton Sawyer Hotel for a unique symposium dedicated to California’s rural hospital leaders. Together, we’ll explore the specific challenges rural hospitals face and uncover valuable insights on a range of critical health care topics.
CMS Awards California $234M in Rural Transformation Grant Funding
What’s happening: On Dec. 29, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the much-anticipated Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) award announcements. While all 50 states were awarded RHTP funds, California earned an award of $233.6 million in the first year, the third-highest dollar amount award of any state.
Positive News and Looming Threats from the Nation’s Capital
Federal lawmakers are back in Washington, D.C., this week with just over three weeks left to finish funding the government before current spending laws run out on Jan. 30.
D.C. Download: The Good, the Bad, and the Unknown
Congressional votes to end the federal government shutdown have brought several pieces of good news for health care. Other developments out of Washington, D.C., have more mixed results.
State Submits Application for Funding to Support Rural Health Transformation
This week, the state submitted its application for California’s share of $50 billion in funding available through the new federal Rural Health Transformation Program.
CHA, Stakeholders Offer Support for CA’s Transformation Program Application
What’s happening: Ahead of the state’s submission of its Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) application, CHA and seven other advocacy organizations wrote a letter of support urging the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to approve California’s application.