Introduction:
National Rural Health Association is a nonprofit organization whose focus is on improving the well-being and health of rural residents. This presentation will investigate the NRHA’s key issues, mission, legislative agenda, how the agenda is developed and communicated, how the agenda is pushed and promoted, current lobbying efforts, key partner coalitions, whether their partnerships influence policies, key obstacles, spending allocations, and information obtained from the Center for Responsible Politics.
- Key Issues: NRHA focuses primarily on rural healthcare issues such as access to care, shortages of rural workers, rural health policies, and closures of rural hospitals.
- Mission: The NRHA’s mission is to provide leadership on rural health issues through advocacy, communications, education, and research.
- Legislative Agenda: The NRHA’s legislative agenda includes various bills aimed at improving healthcare access and quality in rural communities. Among the legislative priorities, there are several that include expanding telehealth, supporting rural hospitals, and addressing shortages of workers.
- Development of Agenda: The NRHA’s legislative agenda is developed through various committees and task forces, which review issues affecting rural communities and develop recommendations for policy changes.
- The NRHA uses various media to communicate its agenda, including newsletters, email updates and social media.
- Promotion of agenda: The NRHA uses various methods to promote its agenda, including organizing grassroots campaigns, engaging policymakers and joining coalitions.
- Current lobbying efforts: The NRHA currently advocates for various bills aimed to improve healthcare quality and access in rural communities. These include the Rural Hospital Closure Relief Act, and the Rural America Health Corps Act.
- Key partner coalitions: The NRHA works with a number of partners, such as the National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health (NOSORH) and the National Association of Rural Health Clinics.
- Influence of Partnerships: The NRHA’s partnerships have influenced policies at the local, state, and national levels by increasing awareness of rural health issues and advocating for policy changes.
- The NRHA is faced with a number of obstacles, including limited resources, conflicting interests and a lack of political commitment.
- Spending Allocations: The NRHA’s spending allocations are primarily focused on advocacy efforts, including lobbying, grassroots organizing, and policy development.
- Center for Responsible Politics : According to the Center for Responsible Politics, the NRHA spent more than $300,000.00 on lobbying in the last year.
- Position Statements & Testimony : The NRHA advocates for policy change by providing various position statements as well as testimony.
- Media Reports: Various media reports provide more information on the NRHA’s current lobbying efforts, including their advocacy for the Rural Hospital Closure Relief Act and the Rural America Health Corps Act.
Conclusion: The NRHA has a vital role to play in advocating policy changes that will improve the quality of healthcare and accessibility in rural communities. The NRHA, through its legislative agenda and partnerships and advocacy efforts, works to promote rural health policy changes and increase rural awareness.