Stewarding Rural Health: Lessons for Building Thriving Rural Communities

Watch a Rethink Health Toolbox webinar from November 20 exploring lessons and actionable insights from rural stewards who are supporting stewardship and systems change in their communities.

Recent federal policy changes, including Medicaid cuts, pose serious risks for rural America—lower reimbursements, shrinking budgets, and the potential closure of more than 700 hospitals. For communities where Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program cover nearly 40% of children and 20% of non-elderly adults, these cuts endanger both health access and economic stability.

Yet amid these challenges, new initiatives like the Rural Health Transformation Program offer pathways for innovation and renewal. Navigating this moment—where loss and possibility coexist—requires tools that strengthen collaboration, strategic thinking, and resilience.

Webinar participants gained:

• A clear understanding of how rural communities are advancing the vital conditions for health and well-being, despite resource constraints
• Practical examples and best practices from rural communities that can be adapted for urban, suburban, and other diverse settings
• Insights into partnerships—across local government, philanthropy, health systems, and community-based organizations—that bring the vision of healthy residents to life
• Stories of hope and action showcasing stewards who are building thriving rural futures even amid uncertainty