Rural Health Care at a Breaking Point: Who Can Afford to Stay Healthy?

Rural Health Care at a Breaking Point: Who Can Afford to Stay Healthy?

More than 66 million Americans — one in 5 — live in rural areas of the nation. Rural Americans are facing a growing crisis in healthcare affordability and accessibility. Many have lost coverage and are facing delays in care. Roughly 8.4% of rural Americans are uninsured.

The impact is likely to intensify as Medicaid and ACA changes take effect. Overall, about 5 million Americans dropped out of their health insurance coverage, as monthly premiums rose by an average of 25% in January. Health advocacy groups predict premiums will rise by 15% again in January 2027.

The crisis is most acute in the shutdown of rural hospitals: according to May, 2026 data from the Center for Healthcare Quality and Payment Reform, 720 rural hospitals are in danger of closing. 294 are in immediate risk, facing a shutdown within 2 to 3 years. Patients with urgent needs are finding they must travel longer distances to access urgent care.

Speakers this week will discuss the rural healthcare affordability crisis, including an on-the-ground view from East Tennessee where 12 rural hospitals are set to close. They will also discuss the Rural Health Transformation Fund, which falls short of its aims, as well as models for greater healthcare inclusivity for all.

• Dr. Katherine Hempstead, Senior Policy Adviser, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation

• Dr. Amy Gordon Bono, Primary Care Physician, Tennessee

• Dr. Neale Mahoney, Professor of Economics, Stanford University; George P. Shultz Fellow, Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research