The Rural Policy Research Institute - RUPRI

The RUPRI Health Panel releases a new brief -

The Importance of Long-Term Services and Supports to a High-Performance Rural Health System: Demographic, Policy and Economic Challenges

Prepared by the RUPRI Health Panel: Alva O. Ferdinand, DrPh, JD; Mark Holmes, PhD; Alana D. Knudson, PhD; Jennifer P. Lundblad, PhD, MBA; A. Clinton MacKinney, MD, MS; Timothy D. McBride, PhD; and Keith J. Mueller, PhD (Chair)

The long-term services and supports (LTSS) system is an important element of a high performing rural health system. The purpose of this Policy Brief is to assess the potential for transforming the LTSS system while it faces considerable challenges driven by demographic, economic and policy forces. The policy forces include the potential impact of planned expenditure reductions to Medicaid over the 2026-2034 period, with intended as well as unintended effects. Clickhttps://rupri.org/wp-content/uploads/LTSS-Brief-by-Health-Panel_FINAL.pdf to read full brief.

rupri.org

Congratulations!! Dr. Whitney Zahnd, assistant professor of health management and policy and deputy director of the RUPRI Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis, was named the 2025 recipient of the Iowa Rural Health Association (IRHA)’s Jerry Karbeling Award. This annual award honors exceptional rural health leaders who demonstrate outstanding advocacy, innovation, and commitment to improving health and well-being across Iowa’s rural communities. Named in memory of Jerry Karbeling, a visionary leader and tireless advocate for rural health, this award recognizes individuals who exemplify the spirit of collaboration, service, and leadership that strengthen Iowa’s rural health system and advance IRHA’s mission. She received the award on November 20th ( National Rural Health Day) as part of IRHA’s annual conference.

Mueller live in studio - IPR News, River to River. November 2025
What federal cuts to Medicaid mean for Iowans' healthcare
A discussion on how federal cuts to Medicaid will impact Iowans and rural healthcare.

River to River River to River is a conversation about the news with an Iowa perspective. Together we dig into the story behind the headlines - we talk with newsmakers and a diverse range of experts to find out how the news affects you. We take on challenging topics, explore issues from all sides, and foster conver...

Keith Mueller was recently cited in the Daily Iowan, "Iowa’s rural hospitals brace for impacts from Medicaid changes".

Iowa’s rural hospitals brace for impacts from Medicaid changes Grace Nelson, a third-year University of Iowa student from Sioux City, Iowa, was diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy at 18 months old and has been a powered wheelchair user since she was 3. Nelson uses a personal care attendant for 14 to 18 hours a day, seven days a week — a program paid for...

Technological Innovation in Rural Health and Human Services Spaces, with Dan Shane – Exploring Rural Health Podcast The October 2025 episode of RHIhub's podcast features an interview with Dan Shane, Associate Professor with the RUPRI Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis. We examine opportunities for applying technological advances in rural health and human services, potential challenges, and future avenues of....