Rural Issues

With a higher-than-average volume of Medicare patients, rural hospitals are impacted significantly by federal Medicare policies. Rural hospitals also are concerned about many state issues, such as pharmacy requirements, incentives for physicians to practice in under-served areas, the state’s prohibition on the corporate practice of medicine and local government requirements that affect hospital districts.

The Texas Hospital Association advocates in both the legislative and regulatory arenas on behalf of its rural hospital members. THA also delivers education, products and other resources that help rural hospitals operate cost-effectively.

THA’s Rural Constituency Section and its Council on Administration provide a venue and leadership for almost 200 rural hospitals to become involved in THA.