Rural America is a vital part of our nation—rich in culture, community, and resilience. But potential Medicaid cuts coupled with the impending expiration of enhanced tax credits further threatens rural communities’ access to health care and puts the strength of rural communities at risk. In this episode, Chip Kahn is joined once again by Alan Morgan, CEO of the National Rural Health Association, to explore the impacts of Medicaid cuts and Americans’ loss of health coverage on rural hospitals and what is at stake for patient care if lawmakers fail to protect these institutions.

Key topics include:

• The current state of rural health care and why it matters to all Americans;
• What hospital closures mean for rural patients;
• The policy levers that could make or break the future of rural hospitals; and,
• Why Medicaid and the enhanced tax credits are essential to access care.

References:

• Washington Post “Republican Medicaid cuts could shutter rural hospitals, maternity care” (https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/03/08/medicaid-cuts-rural-hospitals/)

About:
Alan Morgan joined NRHA staff in 2001 and currently serves as Chief Executive Officer of the association.

Recognized as among the top 100 most influential people in health care by Modern Healthcare Magazine, Alan Morgan serves as Chief Executive Officer for the National Rural Health Association. He has more than 30 years experience in health policy at the state and federal level, and is one of the nation’s leading experts on rural health policy.

Mr. Morgan served as a contributing author for the publications, “Policy & Politics in Nursing and Health Care,” “The Handbook of Rural Aging” and for the publication, “Rural Populations and Health.” In addition, his health policy articles have been published in: The American Journal of Clinical Medicine, The Journal of Rural Health, The Journal of Cardiovascular Management, The Journal of Pacing and Clinical Electrophysiology, Cardiac Electrophysiology Review, and in Laboratory Medicine.

Mr. Morgan served as staff for former US Congressman Dick Nichols and former Kansas Governor Mike Hayden. Additionally, his past experience includes tenures as a health care lobbyist for the American Society of Clinical Pathologists, the Heart Rhythm Society, and for VHA Inc.

He holds a bachelor's degree in journalism from University of Kansas, and a master's degree in public administration from George Mason University.