The 21st Show

What does the future hold for rural health care in Illinois amid federal policy changes?

 
Genesis Medical Center in Aledo

Genesis Medical Center Photo Courtesy of Genesis Medical Center

Rural hospitals provide health care to thousands of people across Illinois -- people who live in rural areas, but either don't want to or can't drive out to a major city to get that care.

However, rural hospitals have been struggling for decades. Hundreds have closed and the ones that haven't face challenges from low patient numbers to low reimbursements from Medicaid and Medicare -- programs that give many rural residents access to care. Now, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act that President Trump signed into law last month is making substantial changes to those programs. 

Experts in rural health care discuss the state of rural hospitals across Illinois and how many are preparing for the challenges ahead.


GUESTS

Tracy Warner 
Executive Director, Illinois Critical Access Hospital Network

Melanie Evans 
Reporter/Producer, Tradeoffs

Vicki Weidenbacher-Hoper 
Associate Director, Rural Health Workforce & Center Development, National Center for Rural Health Professions

Ted Rogalski
Administrator, MercyOne Genesis Aledo Medical Center, and MercyOne Genesis DeWitt Medical Center

 

Hosted by Christine Herman

 

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