California State Rural Health Association

California's new state budget offers a measure of relief for the rural communities that depend most on Medi-Cal.

On June 15, the Legislature approved its 2026-27 budget plan and sent it to Governor Newsom, walking back several of the deepest healthcare cuts that had worried rural providers. The package rejects or delays a number of proposed Medi-Cal reductions, sets aside up to $190 million for another round of forgivable loans to financially distressed hospitals, and adds new funding to strengthen the physician workforce in shortage areas.

Learn more here: bit.ly/4fTwEB4

New episode of This Is Rural Health: Health Equity Starts in the Community, featuring Carrie Cochran-McClain, Chief Policy Officer at the National Rural Health Association.

Carrie joins us for a view from Capitol Hill, breaking down the federal decisions shaping rural healthcare right now, including Medicaid changes, the $50 billion Rural Health Transformation Fund, workforce shortages, Medicare Advantage, telehealth, AI in healthcare, and pharmacy benefit manager reform.

Listen to the full episode at csrha.org/podcast.

Calling California's rural healthcare organizations: a new statewide effort can help you find the right partners before the next round of CalRHT funding opens.

CSRHA, CHA, and CPCA have come together as the Rural Connection Coalition to host a free webinar walking through a newly developed Partnership Pathway Assessment. The tool helps hospitals, FQHCs, clinics, Critical Access Hospitals, and Tribal entities name their strengths, identify their gaps, and connect with potential partners to apply for CalRHT funding together. Join us to see how it works and how to get involved early.

Wednesday, July 1, 2026, 9 to 10 a.m. PT. Free to attend, registration required.

Register here: bit.ly/43KJlqC

California’s In-Home Supportive Services program helps older adults and people with disabilities remain safely in their homes.

A federal freeze on $1.1 billion in Medicaid funding tied to IHSS is raising concerns across the state, especially in rural communities where nursing home beds are limited and family caregivers often travel long distances.

Learn more here: https://bit.ly/4vafOCo

A key piece of and the National Rural Age-Friendly Initiative is strengthening the role of community health workers, who are trusted advocates in rural communities, to ensure older adults can age in place.



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