Happy Thanksgiving from Rural Health Today! In this episode, JJ takes a moment to give thanks to those who give so much to make rural hospitals and communities possible. Follow Rural Health Today on social media! ⁠https://x.com/RuralHealthPod⁠ ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@ruralhealthtoday7665⁠  Follow Hillsdale Hospital on social media! ⁠https://www.facebook.com/hillsdalehospital/⁠ ⁠https://www.twitter.com/hillsdalehosp/⁠ ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/hillsdale-community-health-center/⁠ ⁠https://www.instagram.com/hillsdalehospital/⁠ 

Rural Health News is a weekly segment of Rural Health Today, a podcast by Hillsdale Hospital. News sources for this episode: Alan Condon, “CMS issues guidance on new tax limits to close Medicaid ‘loophole’: 10 things to know,” November 18, 2025, https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/finance/cms-issues-guidance-on-new-tax-limits-to-close-medicaid-loophole-10-things-to-know/?origin=RCME&utm_source=RCME&utm_medium=email&utm_content=newsletter&oly_enc_id=3025D7635490G0H, Becker’s Hospital Review. Paige Twenter, “3 trends complicating flu season for hospitals this year,” November 19, 2025, https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/quality/public-health/3-trends-complicating-the-2025-flu-season-for-hospitals-this-year/, Becker’s Clinical Leadership. Giles Bruce, “Hacker accesses employee emails at Chicago safety-net hospital,” November 18, 2025, https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/healthcare-information-technology/ehrs/hacker-accesses-employee-emails-at-chicago-safety-net-hospital/, Becker’s Health IT. U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Office of Civil Rights, “Cases Currently Under Investigation,” https://ocrportal.hhs.gov/ocr/breach/breach_report.jsf. Olivia Gieger, “New mental health urgent care center expands its services to offer overnight stays,” November 18, 2025, https://vtdigger.org/2025/11/18/newport-mental-health-urgent-care-center-to-expands-its-services-to-offer-overnight-stays/, VTDigger.  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.

Today we're back with Scott Becker discussing how to navigate the noisy world of healthcare news. 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 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. Follow Rural Health Today on social media! ⁠⁠https://x.com/RuralHealthPod⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@ruralhealthtoday7665⁠⁠  Follow Hillsdale Hospital on social media! ⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/hillsdalehospital/⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.twitter.com/hillsdalehosp/⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/hillsdale-community-health-center/⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/hillsdalehospital/⁠⁠  Follow Scott Becker! ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottbeckermw/⁠ Follow Becker’s Hospital Review! ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/asc-communications/⁠ ⁠https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/⁠  ⁠https://www.facebook.com/@BeckersHospitalReview/⁠ ⁠https://x.com/beckershr⁠ ⁠https://www.youtube.com/user/hospitalreview1⁠

Rural Health News is a weekly segment of Rural Health Today, a podcast by Hillsdale Hospital. 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.

In this episode, we’re talking about how to navigate the current state of healthcare news with insight and understanding. Healthcare has been a top contender for breaking news headlines all year, and many conversations that once belonged exclusively in health and science are now common political debates. Scott is here to share his perspective and insight as one of the most trusted sources for healthcare news. We’ll talk about understanding data, asking the right questions and of course, what it all has to do with rural health.  Follow Rural Health Today on social media! https://x.com/RuralHealthPod https://www.youtube.com/@ruralhealthtoday7665  Follow Hillsdale Hospital on social media! https://www.facebook.com/hillsdalehospital/ https://www.twitter.com/hillsdalehosp/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/hillsdale-community-health-center/ https://www.instagram.com/hillsdalehospital/  Follow Scott Becker! https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottbeckermw/ Follow Becker’s Hospital Review! https://www.linkedin.com/company/asc-communications/ https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/  https://www.facebook.com/@BeckersHospitalReview/ https://x.com/beckershr https://www.youtube.com/user/hospitalreview1

Rural Health News is a weekly segment of Rural Health Today, a podcast by Hillsdale Hospital. News sources for this episode: MedHOK, “How the Government Shutdown Impacts Open Enrollment: What Health Plans and PBMs Need to Know,” October 29, 2025, https://mhk.com/resource/blog/government-shutdown-healthcare-impact-on-open-enrollment-what-health-plans-and-pbms-need-to-know/.  Medicare, “Open Enrollment,” https://www.medicare.gov/health-drug-plans/open-enrollment. Madeline Ashley, “22 hospital closures in 2025,” October 22, 2025, https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/finance/2-hospital-closures-in-2025/, Becker’s Hospital Review.  Madeline Ashley, “26 maternity service closures in 2025,” October 21, 2025, https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/finance/7-maternity-service-closures-in-2025/, Becker’s Hospital Review. Rylee Wilson, “18 behavioral health closures in 2025,” June 25, 2025, https://www.beckersbehavioralhealth.com/behavioral-health-news/5-behavioral-health-closures-in-2025/, Becker’s Hospital Review.  Soumya Shashikumar, MBiotech, “Health Layoffs 2025: A Roundup,” October 2, 2025, https://xtalks.com/healthcare-layoffs-2025-a-roundup-4102/, Xtalks. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, “VA to reduce staff by nearly 30k by end of FY2025,” July 7, 2025, https://news.va.gov/press-room/va-to-reduce-staff-by-nearly-30k-by-end-of-fy2025/#:~:text=WASHINGTON%20%E2%80%94%20The%20Department%20of%20Veterans,scale%20reduction%2Din%2Dforce Jennifer Brown, “Suicides devastated and galvanized Routt County, which now has a mental health response team,” October 30, 2025, https://coloradosun.com/2025/10/30/suicides-routt-county-mental-health-response-team/, The Colorado Sun. Public Health, “Suicide in Rural America,” May 16, 2024, https://www.cdc.gov/rural-health/php/public-health-strategy/suicide-in-rural-america-prevention-strategies.html, CDC Rural Health. 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.

The state of national healthcare has never been quite this tumultuous. As funding hits the chopping block and rural hospitals scramble to prop their doors open, we look to organizations like the MHA to provide much-needed guidance. We’ll talk about advocacy leadership, the ripple effect of funding cuts, and of course, what it all has to do with rural health. Follow Rural Health Today on social media! https://x.com/RuralHealthPod https://www.youtube.com/@ruralhealthtoday7665  Follow Hillsdale Hospital on social media! https://www.facebook.com/hillsdalehospital/ https://www.twitter.com/hillsdalehosp/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/hillsdale-community-health-center/ https://www.instagram.com/hillsdalehospital/  Follow our guest on social media! https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-appel-1b8684b/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/michiganhospitals/posts/?feedView=all https://www.facebook.com/MichiganHospitals

Rural Health News is a weekly segment of Rural Health Today, a podcast by Hillsdale Hospital. News sources for this episode: Rayna Wallace et al., “8 Things to Watch for the 2026 ACA Open Enrollment Period,” October 28, 2025, https://www.kff.org/affordable-care-act/8-things-to-watch-for-the-2026-aca-open-enrollment-period/, KFF Health News.  Sudiksha Kochi, “Here are 6 ways the government shutdowns could get worse for Americans,” October 29, 2025, https://thehill.com/homenews/house/5579889-government-shutdown-americans-pain/, The Hill. Forvis Mazars, “Federal Government Shutdown: Impact on Healthcare Organizations,” October 1, 2025, https://www.forvismazars.us/forsights/2025/10/federal-government-shutdown-impact-on-healthcare-organizations. Sarah Klein, Molly Castle Work, “Positive Outliers: How Some Rural Communities Maintain Access to Labor and Delivery Services,” October 24, 2025, https://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/2025/oct/positive-outliers-how-rural-communities-maintain-access-labor-delivery, The Commonwealth Fund.  Grace Sparks et al., “KFF Health Tracking Poll: Public Weighs Political Consequences of Health Policy Legislation,” October 3, 2025, https://www.kff.org/affordable-care-act/kff-health-tracking-poll-public-weighs-political-consequences-of-health-policy-legislation/, KFF Health News. 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.

Leading rural hospitals has become a challenging pursuit for this generation of CEOs. We’re facing drastic funding cuts, policies that threaten healthcare sustainability, and a country that has been gradually losing its trust in the field of health and science. Tim is here to share the lessons he’s learned as the CEO of Eaton Rapids Medical Center. We’ll talk about how we support our communities, navigating increasingly political landscapes, and of course, what it all has to do with rural health. Follow Rural Health Today on social media! https://x.com/RuralHealthPod https://www.youtube.com/@ruralhealthtoday7665  Follow Hillsdale Hospital on social media! https://www.facebook.com/hillsdalehospital/ https://www.twitter.com/hillsdalehosp/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/hillsdale-community-health-center/ https://www.instagram.com/hillsdalehospital/  Follow our guest! https://www.eatonrapidsmedicalcenter.org/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/eaton-rapids-medical-center/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-johnson-b98290100/https://www.mha.org/newsroom/tag/tim-johnson/

Rural Health News is a weekly segment of Rural Health Today, a podcast by Hillsdale Hospital. News sources for this episode: National Rural Health Association, “340B Drug Pricing Program & Pharmacy,” https://www.ruralhealth.us/advocacy/advocacy-priority-areas/340b-drug-pricing-program National Rural Health Association, “Rural 340B: NRHA Factsheet and Talking Points,” https://www.ruralhealth.us/nationalruralhealth/media/documents/advocacy/2025/rural-340b.pdf Michigan Health & Hospital Association, “340B Drug Discount Program.” https://www.mha.org/issues-advocacy/federal-issues/340b/ American Hospital Association, “Fact Sheet: The 340B Drug Pricing Program,” October 2025, https://www.aha.org/fact-sheets/fact-sheet-340b-drug-pricing-program 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.

Healthcare strategy has a far-reaching impact on patients, systems and communities. Lee Ann Odom is here to share her perspective and insight as a principal at PYA. We’ll talk about patient care, healthcare legislation, and of course, what it all has to do with rural health. Follow Rural Health Today on social media! https://x.com/RuralHealthPod https://www.youtube.com/@ruralhealthtoday7665  Follow Hillsdale Hospital on social media! https://www.facebook.com/hillsdalehospital/ https://www.twitter.com/hillsdalehosp/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/hillsdale-community-health-center/ https://www.instagram.com/hillsdalehospital/  Follow our guest on social media! https://www.linkedin.com/in/leeann-odom-557180126/

Healthcare strategy has a far-reaching impact on patients, systems and communities. Lee Ann Odom is here to share her perspective and insight as a principal at PYA. We’ll talk about patient care, healthcare legislation, and of course, what it all has to do with rural health. Follow Rural Health Today on social media! https://x.com/RuralHealthPod https://www.youtube.com/@ruralhealthtoday7665  Follow Hillsdale Hospital on social media! https://www.facebook.com/hillsdalehospital/ https://www.twitter.com/hillsdalehosp/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/hillsdale-community-health-center/ https://www.instagram.com/hillsdalehospital/  Follow our guest on social media! https://www.linkedin.com/in/leeann-odom-557180126/

Rural Health News is a weekly segment of Rural Health Today, a podcast by Hillsdale Hospital. 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.

Dr. Maria Muzik is a professor of psychiatry and OB-GYN at the University of Michigan, co-director of Zero to Thrive & Strong Roots Programs, medical director of Perinatal & Reproductive Psychiatry, medical director of MC3 Perinatal, co-director of Partnering for the Future Clinic, and more. In this episode of Rural Health Today, Dr. Muzik shares how perinatal psychiatry plays a vital role in maternal and infant health. Follow Rural Health Today on social media! https://x.com/RuralHealthPodhttps://www.youtube.com/@ruralhealthtoday7665  Follow Hillsdale Hospital on social media! https://www.facebook.com/hillsdalehospital/ https://www.twitter.com/hillsdalehosp/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/hillsdale-community-health-center/ https://www.instagram.com/hillsdalehospital/  Follow our guest! https://medicine.umich.edu/dept/psychiatry/maria-muzik-md-mschttps://www.linkedin.com/in/maria-muzik-zero-2-thrive/  Resources https://zerotothrive.org/ https://zerotothrive.org/strong-roots/perinatal-dbt/ https://mc3michigan.org/

Rural Health News is a weekly segment of Rural Health Today, a podcast by Hillsdale Hospital. News sources for this episode: Stephanie Armour et al., “Shutdown Halts Some Health Services as Political Risks Test Parties’ Resolve,” October 1, 2025, https://kffhealthnews.org/news/article/federal-government-shutdown-health-services-congress-negotiations-impasse/, KFF Health News. Bridget Early, “Major health programs would continue during shutdown, feds say,” September 29, 2025, https://www.modernhealthcare.com/politics-regulation/mh-government-shutdown-cms-hhs-contingency-plans/, Modern Healthcare. Kff, “How Much More Would People Pay in Premiums if the ACA’s Enhanced Premium Tax Credits Expire?,” https://www.kff.org/interactive/how-much-more-would-people-pay-in-premiums-if-the-acas-enhanced-subsidies-expired/. Holly K. Hacker et al., “At Least 170 US Hospitals Face Major Flood Risk. Experts Say Trump Is Making It Worse.,” October 1, 2025, https://kffhealthnews.org/news/article/hospital-flooding-risk-investigation-trump-policies-fema/, KFF Health News.  Andrew Cass, “Government shutdown begins: What healthcare leaders should know,” October 1, 2025, https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/finance/government-shutdown-begins-what-healthcare-leaders-should-know/, Becker’s Hospital Review. Rachana Pradhan, “Patient Numbers at NIH Hospital Have Plummeted Under Trump, Jeopardizing Care,” August 7, 2025, https://kffhealthnews.org/news/article/nih-clinical-center-patient-numbers-drop-under-trump-jeopardizing-care/, KFF Health News.  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.

Today we’re talking about strategies for thriving as a rural hospital. It’s not easy to navigate rural health in its current state, but the purpose of this podcast is to address both the challenges rural hospitals are facing today and the new solutions and pathways healthcare innovators are finding across the country. Dr. Crongeyer is here to share his perspective and insight as a physician, attorney and entrepreneur. We’ll talk about the legal risks of healthcare, strategic growth, and of course, what it all has to do with rural health.  Follow Rural Health Today on social media! https://x.com/RuralHealthPodhttps://www.youtube.com/@ruralhealthtoday7665  Follow Hillsdale Hospital on social media! https://www.facebook.com/hillsdalehospital/ https://www.twitter.com/hillsdalehosp/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/hillsdale-community-health-center/ https://www.instagram.com/hillsdalehospital/  Follow our guest! www.ModusOneHealth.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/modusone-health/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-crongeyer-42b2672b/ https://www.mha.org/newsroom/tag/dr-john-crongeyer/ 

Rural Health News is a weekly segment of Rural Health Today, a podcast by Hillsdale Hospital. News sources for this episode: View H-1B visa map: https://www.newsweek.com/map-shows-health-care-h-1b-visas-state-trump-floats-fee-exemption-2133913 Andrew Stanton, “Map Shows Health Care H-1B Visas by State as Trump Floats Fee Exemption,” September 22, 2025, https://www.newsweek.com/map-shows-health-care-h-1b-visas-state-trump-floats-fee-exemption-2133913, Newsweek. Mariah Taylor, “Trump’s new H-1B visa fee could strain hospitals, workforces: 8 notes,” September 22, 2025, https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/workforce/trumps-new-h-1b-visa-fee-could-strain-hospitals-workforces-8-notes/, Becker’s Hospital Review. Diane Eastabrook, “More hospitals to face high readmission penalties in fiscal 2026,” September 22, 2025, https://www.modernhealthcare.com/providers/mh-cms-hospital-readmission-penalties-2026/, Modern Healthcare.  Jordan Rau, “10 Years of Hospital Readmissions Penalties,” November 4, 2021, https://www.kff.org/affordable-care-act/10-years-of-hospital-readmissions-penalties/, KFF. American Hospital Association, “Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program,” 2016, https://www.aonl.org/system/files/2018-01/fs-readmissions.pdf. Jessica Mouzo, “The great revolution against Alzheimer’s: ‘It’s the first time in human history that we’ve managed to slow the disease’,” September 23, 2025, https://english.elpais.com/science-tech/2025-09-23/the-great-revolution-against-alzheimers-its-the-first-time-in-human-history-that-weve-managed-to-slow-the-disease.html, El País.  Alzheimer’s Association, “2025 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures,” 2025, https://www.alz.org/getmedia/ef8f48f9-ad36-48ea-87f9-b74034635c1e/alzheimers-facts-and-figures.pdf.  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.

Today we’re talking about maternal health sepsis and barriers to sepsis care. Dr. Melissa Bauer is here to share her perspective and insight as a birthing center anesthesiologist and leader in maternal health sepsis prevention. We’ll talk about diagnosing sepsis and serious maternal health conditions, equipping patients with the education they need, and of course, what it all has to do with rural health. Follow Rural Health Today on social media! https://x.com/RuralHealthPodhttps://www.youtube.com/@ruralhealthtoday7665  Follow Hillsdale Hospital on social media! https://www.facebook.com/hillsdalehospital/ https://www.twitter.com/hillsdalehosp/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/hillsdale-community-health-center/ https://www.instagram.com/hillsdalehospital/  Follow our guest on social media! https://www.facebook.com/dukehealthhttps://x.com/DukeHealthhttps://www.instagram.com/dukehealth/# https://www.linkedin.com/company/duke-university-health-system/

Rural Health News is a weekly segment of Rural Health Today, a podcast by Hillsdale Hospital. Read JJ’s op ed as published by the Detroit News: https://www.detroitnews.com/story/opinion/2025/09/15/hodshire-michigan-house-budget-puts-hospitals-and-lives-at-risk-lansing/86113788007/  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.

On this episode of Rural Health Today, we’re revisiting our season on maternity care for a Rural Health Answers episode, where we ask our guest a question or two about something our listeners want to know. JJ is asking Karla Weng, Director of Program Management at Stratis Health, “What is the CMS Maternal Morbidity Structural Measure and how can critical access hospitals attain the birthing-friendly hospital ranking?” Resources The National Network of Perinatal Quality Collaboratives (NNPQC) AIM | Alliance For Innovation On Maternal Health Birthing-Friendly Hospitals and Health Systems | Provider Data Catalog Maternal Morbidity Measure reporting information and attestation guide: Hospital Inpatient Quality Reporting (IQR) Program Measures Follow Rural Health Today on social media! https://x.com/RuralHealthPodhttps://www.youtube.com/@ruralhealthtoday7665  Follow Hillsdale Hospital on social media! https://www.facebook.com/hillsdalehospital/ https://www.twitter.com/hillsdalehosp/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/hillsdale-community-health-center/ https://www.instagram.com/hillsdalehospital/  Follow our guest on social media! https://x.com/StratisHealth https://www.linkedin.com/company/stratis-health/ https://www.youtube.com/user/stratishealth1