This Is Rural Health

This Is Rural Health, is a twice-monthly podcast from the California State Rural Health Association (CSRHA). The CSRHA is focused on ensuring that the needs and voices of rural Californians are expressed and heard and continually works toward improving the quality and length of life of rural Californians. This podcast, like the CSRHA, brings together leaders in rural healthcare with policy advisors, community leaders, and other forward thinkers to gain a better understanding of what is happening across today’s rural healthcare ecosystem. Hear the unique perspectives of these industry and community leaders and how they are finding innovative solutions to the challenges of a rapidly changing and increasingly complex healthcare industry. We cover topics such as leading with resilience in a post COVID-19 paradigm, telehealth, and the rising costs of patient care all through the lens of our rural communities. Guests also share their insights, lessons learned and predictions about the future of rural healthcare. The CSRHA has been a go-to resource for rural healthcare and community leaders since 1995. The CSRHA brings an accumulation of actionable insights to the next generation of rural healthcare leaders. For more information visit our website at csrha.org

This Is Rural Health is a health podcast hosted by Unknown Host, with 73 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Unknown Host hosts This Is Rural Health, a health show with 73 episodes published.

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  Episode #61

  Panel: From Innovation to Implementation

  Aug 6, 202642 minS7

  What if the key to strengthening rural healthcare isn't doing more—but working smarter, together? In this episode of the California State Rural Health Association Podcast , we bring you a thought-provoking conference panel featuring Sylvia Trujillo , healthcare policy and regulatory attorney and leader at the California Telehealth Resource Center (CTRC), and Dr. Martin Entwistle , Chief of Medical Affairs at Marshall Medical Center. Together, they explore how rural healthcare organizations can move beyond simply adopting technology to building sustainable, scalable systems that improve patient care while protecting the future of rural hospitals. Drawing on Marshall Medical Center's real-world experience, Dr. Entwistle shares how his team shifted from fragmented digital initiatives to a comprehensive strategy centered on telehealth, remote patient monitoring, artificial intelligence, and value-based care. Rather than chasing every new technology, they focused on governance, infrastructure, partnerships, and workflows that could grow with their organization and support long-term success. The conversation also tackles some of rural healthcare's biggest challenges—including workforce shortages, reimbursement, interoperability, financial sustainability, and the risk of losing patients to larger health systems. Sylvia explains how collaboration, strategic planning, and the California Rural Health Transformation Fund can help organizations build stronger regional networks that keep specialty care and healthcare dollars within rural communities. Whether you're leading a rural hospital, community health center, clinic, or healthcare organization, this episode offers practical insights on: Building scalable digital health programs instead of isolated projects Using telehealth and remote patient monitoring to improve access and outcomes Creating successful hub-and-spoke partnerships that strengthen rural care Preparing for value-based care and future reimbursement models Leveraging available funding and no-cost technical assistance to support digital transformation If you're wondering how rural healthcare can remain financially viable while embracing innovation, this conversation provides both a roadmap and a call to action. Listen now to discover how strategic partnerships, thoughtful planning, and digital transformation can help rural communities deliver better care—without leaving patients behind. What You’ll Learn From This Episode: CTRC Mission and Audience Pulse Marshall Case for Virtual Care Hub and Spoke Partnerships Building Infrastructure to Scale Rural Transformation Fund Takeaways The CSRHA has been a go-to resource for rural healthcare and community leaders since 1995. The CSRHA brings an accumulation of actionable insights to the next generation of rural healthcare leaders.  For more behind the scenes of this podcast follow @CSRHApodcast on Twitter or @csrha.advocate on Facebook. If you enjoy This Is Rural Health, we could use your support! Please consider leaving a 5-star rating and review, and share it with someone who needs to hear this! Learn more about the CSRHA at csrha.org . Connect with Sylvia Trujillo: LinkedIn Connect with Martin Entwistle: LinkedIn Resources California Telehealth Resource Center California State Office of Rural Health U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Marshall Medical Center

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  Episode #60

  Beyond Books: Rural Libraries as Partners in Community Health

  Jul 23, 202630 minS7

  What if one of the most important healthcare partners in your community isn't a clinic or hospital—but your local library? In this episode of the California State Rural Health Association Podcast, Lisa Lindsay , Library Programs Consultant with the California State Library, shares how rural libraries are evolving into trusted community health hubs. Drawing on more than 20 years of experience in public libraries, Lisa reveals how libraries are helping bridge healthcare gaps through innovative partnerships, trusted relationships, and creative programming that reaches people where they already feel comfortable. From telehealth access and blood pressure monitor lending programs to emergency preparedness, literacy services, nutrition education, and health resource fairs, Lisa demonstrates how libraries are addressing the social drivers of health in ways many healthcare organizations have yet to discover. She also shares inspiring examples from rural and tribal communities across California, highlighting how collaboration between libraries, public health agencies, nonprofits, and healthcare providers is creating healthier, more connected communities. Whether you're a rural healthcare leader, public health professional, librarian, or community advocate, this conversation will challenge the way you think about community partnerships—and reveal why libraries may be one of healthcare's most underutilized assets. In this episode, you'll learn: Why libraries have become trusted access points for health information and services. How rural libraries are expanding access through telehealth, health screenings, and wellness programming. The impact of the Rural Health Connections Project across California. How partnerships with organizations like the American Heart Association are improving cardiovascular health through the Libraries with Heart initiative. Practical ideas for healthcare organizations looking to collaborate with local libraries to better serve rural communities. Healthcare doesn't only happen in hospitals and clinics—it happens wherever people gather, learn, and trust. This episode offers a fresh perspective on building healthier rural communities through unexpected partnerships. Listen now to discover why the future of rural health may begin with a library card. Connect with Lisa Lindsay: LinkedIn Resources Rural Health Connections Project (California) Libraries with Heart (American Heart Association partnership) California State Library (Library Programs & Rural Initiatives) The CSRHA has been a go-to resource for rural healthcare and community leaders since 1995. The CSRHA brings an accumulation of actionable insights to the next generation of rural healthcare leaders.  For more behind the scenes of this podcast follow @CSRHApodcast on Twitter or @csrha.advocate on Facebook. If you enjoy This Is Rural Health, we could use your support! Please consider leaving a 5-star rating and review, and share it with someone who needs to hear this! Learn more about the CSRHA at csrha.org .

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  Episode #59

  2026 CHA Update

  Jul 9, 202635 minS7

  What happens when hospitals are asked to do more with less—while navigating sweeping legislative changes, funding uncertainty, and growing regulatory pressure? In this episode of the California State Rural Health Association Podcast, Dietmar Grellmann breaks down the policy landscape that will shape the future of healthcare in California, with major implications for rural hospitals and the communities they serve. Drawing on his expertise in healthcare policy and advocacy, Dietmar provides an inside look at the California legislative session, where nearly 1,800 bills were introduced, and explains which proposals could have the greatest impact on hospitals. From the California Hospital Association's sponsored legislation to the growing influence of the Office of Health Care Affordability, he explores how reimbursement, hospital financing, workforce challenges, and regulatory mandates are converging at a critical moment for healthcare providers. The conversation also examines the potential effects of federal Medicaid funding changes, ongoing efforts to preserve access to care through California's provider tax program, and the legal battles surrounding affordability targets and insurer reimbursement practices. Dietmar discusses why rural hospitals face unique challenges under statewide policies, the promise—and pitfalls—of artificial intelligence in healthcare, proposed psychiatric staffing regulations, and what emerging political developments could mean for hospitals in the years ahead. Whether you're a rural healthcare leader, policymaker, clinician, or advocate, this episode offers valuable context for understanding the complex decisions being made today—and why they matter for the future of healthcare access across California. In this episode, you'll learn: Why California's legislative session could significantly impact rural hospitals. How state and federal policy changes may affect hospital funding and financial stability. What the Office of Health Care Affordability means for hospitals across the state. The latest on Medicaid financing, provider tax reform, and reimbursement challenges. How the California Hospital Association is advocating for rural healthcare through legislation and litigation. Why workforce shortages, behavioral health regulations, and AI policy remain major priorities. If you want to better understand the forces shaping California healthcare—and what rural hospitals are doing to adapt—this is an episode you won't want to miss. Tune in for an insider's perspective on the policies, challenges, and opportunities that will define the future of rural health. Connect with Dietmar Grellmann: LinkedIn Resources California Hospital Association (CHA) Office of Health Care Affordability (OHCA) California Health Benefits Review Program (CHBRP) California Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI) The CSRHA has been a go-to resource for rural healthcare and community leaders since 1995. The CSRHA brings an accumulation of actionable insights to the next generation of rural healthcare leaders.  For more behind the scenes of this podcast follow @CSRHApodcast on Twitter or @csrha.advocate on Facebook. If you enjoy This Is Rural Health, we could use your support! Please consider leaving a 5-star rating and review, and share it with someone who needs to hear this! Learn more about the CSRHA at csrha.org .

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  Episode #58

  View from Capitol Hill: A National Rural Health Update

  Jun 18, 202651 minS7

  Rural healthcare is facing one of its most pivotal moments in decades. With major Medicaid changes, a historic $50 billion Rural Health Transformation Fund, workforce shortages, and growing pressure on hospitals and providers, the decisions being made in Washington today will shape the future of rural communities for years to come. In this episode, we sit down with a leading policy expert from the National Rural Health Association (NRHA) to unpack the rapidly evolving healthcare landscape and what it means for rural providers, patients, and community leaders across the country. From Capitol Hill politics to federal funding opportunities, our guest breaks down the key healthcare issues dominating the national conversation, including Medicaid reform, Medicare Advantage challenges, workforce shortages, telehealth expansion, AI in healthcare, pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) reform, and the long-awaited Farm Bill. We also explore the Rural Health Transformation Program—one of the largest federal investments in rural healthcare in generations—and what states must do to secure and sustain funding. The conversation dives into the realities facing rural hospitals and clinics, the impact of federal policy changes on healthcare access, and the innovative solutions emerging across the country to strengthen rural health infrastructure and improve outcomes. Whether you're a healthcare executive, policymaker, provider, educator, or advocate, this episode offers valuable insight into the opportunities and challenges shaping the future of rural health. If you care about the future of healthcare access in rural America, this is a conversation you won't want to miss. Tune in for an inside look at the policies, funding, and innovations that could redefine rural healthcare for the next generation. The CSRHA has been a go-to resource for rural healthcare and community leaders since 1995. The CSRHA brings an accumulation of actionable insights to the next generation of rural healthcare leaders.  For more behind the scenes of this podcast follow @CSRHApodcast on Twitter or @csrha.advocate on Facebook. If you enjoy This Is Rural Health, we could use your support! Please consider leaving a 5-star rating and review, and share it with someone who needs to hear this! Learn more about the CSRHA at csrha.org .

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  Episode #57

  Health Equity Starts in the Community

  Oct 30, 202526 minS6

  <p>Dr. Ramiro Zúñiga, Chief Medical Officer for Health Net Medi-Cal, brings nearly three decades of experience as a board-certified family physician serving rural and underserved communities across California. At Health Net, he co-leads contractual, compliance, and regulatory efforts for the Medi-Cal line of business while providing strategic and operational direction for quality improvement, utilization management, and clinical programs.</p><p>Previously Chair of the Department of Family Medicine and Residency Program Director at San Joaquin General Hospital, Dr. Zúñiga has long combined clinical leadership with system-level transformation. He is also a Volunteer Clinical Professor at the UC Davi...

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