Welcome back to Rural Health News, the segment of Rural Health Today where we fill you in on the latest in rural health headlines. We’ll cover three headlines in today’s episode: what’s most urgent, a rural health damage report, and a success story to send us into the week.
Most Urgent
Becker’s Hospital Review recently reported that hospital pricing has become one of the most active state health policy battlegrounds now that more states are implementing a cap on what hospitals can charge commercial payers. Indiana, one of the most expensive states for healthcare, adopted the law in 2025 and now enforces employer health plan price caps below 260% of Medicare for the five largest nonprofit health systems in the state. Michigan, one of the LEAST expensive states for healthcare, is considering a much more severe price cap with a cost review board and immediate 10% price cuts for all hospitals. Many more states are following these examples to implement cap prices across commercial markets with varying conditions, some intended for big-system healthcare and some sweeping across every category of hospital. For the rural, nonprofit hospitals focused on breaking even and keeping the doors open, this kind of legislation is brutal and damaging to the communities relying on the access those hospitals provide.
Damage Report
The federal register recently released an updated report on shortage areas for primary medical care, mental health and dental health professionals. These shortages areas are called HPSAs and determine eligibility for federal qualification programs. HPSAs can be both urban and rural geographic areas, but as expected, the updated list highlights the disparity in workforce shortages for rural areas in all three professions: primary, mental and dental health. The report also found that rural counties with the highest disability prevalence had the highest HPSA rates, meaning the rural communities needing care the most have the least access.
Success Story
In rural Allegan County, Michigan, hunger persists as a growing need in families with school children. Kids’ Food Basket, a nonprofit in West Michigan, has been helping provide nutritious meals and health education for young students thanks to the passion and support of local teachers, principals and other school staff who see the needs up close. In areas where families may not ask for help or know that they can, it takes servant leaders in rural communities to connect individuals and families with resources on a daily basis. These kinds of connections and long-term relationships don’t just meet the immediate need—they create lasting systems of education that builds habits and sustains access for social resources. Just as rural hospitals serve as safety nets for their communities, other nonprofits and agencies like these play an integral role in providing compassionate care to those who need it the most.
Sources
Phil Galewitz & Samantha Liss, “Indiana Takes on Powerful Hospitals by Capping Prices They Charge Employers,” https://kffhealthnews.org/health-industry/hospitals-price-controls-indiana-cap-healthcare-costs-debate/, KFF Health News.
Alan Condon, “Hospital price caps gain momentum across states,” June 30, 2026, https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/finance/hospital-price-caps-gain-momentum-across-states/, Becker’s Hospital Review.
Health Resources and Services Administration, “Lists of Designated Primary Medical Care, Mental Health, and Dental Health Professional Shortage Areas,” July 1, 2026, https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/07/01/2026-13309/lists-of-designated-primary-medical-care-mental-health-and-dental-health-professional-shortage-areas, Federal Register.
Andrew Abram et al., “County-Level Differences in Health Professional Shortage Areas by Rurality, Age, and Disability Status,” April, 2026, https://www.ruralhealthresearch.org/publications/1767, University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center, Rural Health Research Gateway.
Shandra Martinez, “Kids’ Food Basket, schools join to address rural hunger,” June 26, 2026, https://rapidgrowthmedia.com/kids-food-basket-schools-join-to-address-rural-hunger/, Rapid Growth.
Rural Health Today is a production of Hillsdale Hospital in Hillsdale, Michigan and a member of the Health Podcast Network. Our host is JJ Hodshire, our producer is Kyrsten Newlon, and our audio engineer is Kenji Ulmer. Special thanks to our special guests for sharing their expertise on the show, and also to the Hillsdale Hospital marketing team. If you want to submit a question for us to answer on the podcast or learn more about Rural Health Today, visit ruralhealthtoday.com.
