How has the federal approach to rural health evolved over the years, and what can we learn from it?

On July 15, KHI hosted a conversation with Tom Morris, M.P.A., Associate Administrator for Rural Health Policy in the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). In that role, Tom oversees the work of the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy, which is charged with advising the HHS Secretary on rural health issues, and administers a range of research and capacity-building grant programs that serve rural communities. Drawing on Tom’s many years of experience, the conversation explored how the federal approach to rural health evolved over the years and the lessons learned that could be applied today.

On June 17, KHI hosted a conversation with Sarah Jane Tribble, Chief Rural Correspondent for KFF Health News. A Kansas native and award-winning reporter, Tribble brought both lived Kansas experience and deep reporting expertise to the discussion.

As part of the Health on the Plains Coffee Hour series, the conversation explored the nuanced story of rural health care and current challenges and opportunities facing rural communities today — including hospital closures, rapidly advancing technology and the Rural Health Transformation Program.

How can we bridge the gap between community identified needs and available resources?

On Sept. 24, KHI hosted the Health on the Plains Coffee Hour with a conversation featuring Kjestine Woods, Program Officer, National Health Program, at the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC). This session explored the role Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) can play in building resilient, inclusive rural communities through strong partnerships and innovative strategies to strengthen access to foundational resources for health, including healthy housing, primary care and nutritious food. The event was also promoted with Kjestine’s colleague, Nadia Villagrán, Vice President of LISC and Director of Rural LISC, and we are pleased to share her bio below to highlight her work.

What are the opportunities for positive rural health care transformation within a rapidly changing policy environment?

On Aug. 27, KHI hosted the Health on the Plains Coffee Hour with a conversation featuring Brock Slabach, Chief Operations Officer at the National Rural Health Association. The session focused on the challenges and opportunities shaping rural health, drawing on Brock’s decades of experience in rural hospital leadership, national policy work and rural health system development. Brock shared insights on the transformational potential – and potential roadblocks – for the newly created federal Rural Health Transformation Program, emphasizing the importance of collaboration and creativity in driving meaningful rural health improvements.

How can rural policy be reimagined to better meet the needs of rural communities in the 21st century? 

On July 30, KHI hosted the second Health on the Plains Coffee Hour with a conversation featuring Tony Pipa, Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institution’s Center for Sustainable Development. The session focused on the ways rural policy – particularly at the federal level – can be reimagined to better meet the needs and opportunities of rural communities. Tony shared insights on the complexity of navigating federal programs for rural development, the ways funding requirements can become barriers for rural communities, and the value of investing in local people and institutions.

How can we bridge rural health and economic development to support thriving rural communities?

On June 25, KHI launched the Health on the Plains Coffee Hour series with a conversation featuring Bonita Robertson-Hardy of the Aspen Institute’s Community Strategies Group. The session focused on bridging rural health and economic development. Robertson-Hardy shared insights on the importance of trust, asset-based approaches and local leadership in successful cross-sector collaborations in rural communities.