Caring for Rural Communities

High-quality, accessible health care should be available to all, regardless of location

Caring for Rural Communities

High-quality, accessible health care should be available to all, regardless of location

About the Alliance

The Alliance for Rural Hospital Access is comprised of hospitals designated as Rural Referral Centers (RRCs), Sole Community Hospitals (SCHs), and Medicare-Dependent Hospitals (MDHs)—each of which plays a vital role in the rural health care safety net. RRCs localize sophisticated services and treat complicated cases, SCHs ensure that isolated communities have access to hospital care, and MDHs ensure that Medicare beneficiaries have access to hospital services.

These important rural providers are especially dependent on accurate and appropriate payment policies, and the Alliance for Rural Hospital Access works to make sure that RRCs, SCHs and MDHs are able to continue to provide high-quality health care to rural communities by advocating for legislative and regulatory policies that protect and enhance Medicare reimbursement to these hospitals.

Our Main Objectives

ARHA supports access to health care services in rural communities by advocating for hospitals with Rural Referral Center, Sole Community Hospital and Medicare Dependent Hospital designations under the Medicare program.

SUPPORT

Dedicated to ensuring that federal lawmakers and policymakers support and understand the importance of the RRC, SCH and MDH programs to the health of rural America.

PROTECT

Working to protect the federal policies that sustain RRCs, SCHs and MDHs, allowing them to continue to serve their vital function in the rural health care system.

ADVOCATE

Protect the MDH designation, support a well-functioning 340B program, protect RRCs, SCHs and MDHs from destabilizing site neutral payment reductions, and protect and extend the 7.1% OPPS payment adjustment, to name a few.

Questions? Interested in becoming a member?

We look forward to hearing from you.