LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) — Hillsdale Hospital is going public with a new campaign aimed at preserving rural healthcare. The initiative, dubbed Rural Health Strong, rolled out this month as part of the hospital’s broader push to “support and advocate for all rural hospitals,” according to CEO Jeremiah J. Hodshire.

“We’re financially viable right now, and to sustain that over time, we must be Rural Health Strong,” Hodshire said in a statement. 

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Hospital leaders said the effort follows recent changes to federal Medicaid policy, including eligibility reviews, new payment structures, and work and community engagement requirements—all part of the One Big Beautiful Bill. Hospital officials say those provisions are already reshaping funding streams for hospitals in expansion states like Michigan.

“We became spokespersons against the legislation because of the devastation we knew it would have on the Medicaid population, which is a vital source of reimbursement for rural hospitals,” Hodshire said.

The White House, however, strongly disputes claims that the legislation threatens rural care. In a June 29 fact sheet, officials wrote that The One Big Beautiful Bill “protects and strengthens Medicaid for those who rely on it—pregnant women, children, seniors, people with disabilities, and low-income families—while eliminating waste, fraud, and abuse.” 

The administration emphasized that rural hospitals “comprise just 7% of all hospital spending on Medicaid,” and noted that the bill includes “targeted funds for rural care” and greater “flexibility to support local providers.”

Communications manager Kyrsten Newlon said the Rural Health Strong campaign is intended to “equip communities to be advocates of rural health.” As part of the campaign, Hillsdale is also collecting testimonials and launching a media series highlighting local voices.