Despite being run by the states, roughly 70% of Medicaid funding comes from the federal government.

Experts say community paramedicine programs, which involve paramedics checking in on people with known health issues before an emergency happens, can cut costs and ease strains on health care systems in rural areas.

A new federal program is dropping rural hospitals a lifeline to keep emergency services available as they struggle to turn a profit.

Cash-strapped rural and medium-size hospitals are less prepared to absorb higher interest rates.

Many rural hospitals have closed during the pandemic, and their staffers found other work far away.

For rural communities, the loss of hospitals means no access to nearby emergency care and the loss of health care jobs.

In Nashville, health care facilities are expanding to serve some areas that were hit hardest by the pandemic.

For rural communities, a key question: Can a new company that is taking over ownership restore confidence in the care the local hospital provides?

Medicare is increasing reimbursement rates for certain low-wage hospitals, but not everyone supports the change.