Get Involved with NRHA Advocacy
NRHA members and partners can engage in rural health advocacy by joining NRHA's Rural Health Policy Congress, Government Affairs Committee, or one of our coalitions.
We value our members who go above and beyond as leaders in advocacy for rural health and recognize a member every year at our Rural Health Policy Institute Conference as our Rural Health Advocacy Advocate of the year.
NRHA 2026 Rural Health Advocate of the Year:
David Jordan, CEO of United Methodist Health Ministry Fund
Throughout 2025, David was instrumental in aiding NRHA's Government Affairs Team as they navigated historic changes to Medicaid through the budget reconciliation process. David connected NRHA to critical partners leading to a joint report on Medicaid cuts and rural hospitals and a press briefing. With David's help facilitating opportunities and making connections, NRHA became a leading voice on rural Medicaid in D.C. and across the country.
NRHA 2026 State Rural Health Advocate of the Year:
Rich Sutphin, Executive Director of West Virginia Rural Health Association
Over the past two and a half years, NRHA has placed a renewed emphasis on state policy. And that is why this year we introduced our first State Advocate of the Year Awardee. Rich is the Executive Director of the West Virginia Rural Health Association and a former NRHA Fellow. At the height of the response to H.R. 1, the West Virginia Legislature put a Medicaid trigger-law bill on the docket. Rich quickly gathered partners and grabbed a press-conference microphone and helped stop that bill in its tracks. Because of Rich Sutphin, more rural West Virginians have health coverage, and more hospitals are still open today.
Previous NRHA Rural Health Advocates of the Year:
- 2025 - Kevin Stansbury, CEO of Lincoln Community Hospital
- 2024 - Pat Schou, Former Director of Illinois Critical Access Hospital Network (ICAHN)
- 2023 - Jed Hansen, Executive Director of Nebraska Rural Health Association
- 2022 - Robert Duehmig, Director of Oregon Office of Rural Health
Rural Health Advocacy 101 Guide
As a rural constituent, sharing your perspective and expertise is vital to help your elected officials understand and address the issues impacting rural communities. NRHA created this guide to help members amplify their voices through the information and tools provided by the association. If you have any questions or would like more information or assistance, please contact NRHA's government affairs team.
Let NRHA help you schedule a Hill visit!
The current turbulent political environment requires even more engagement from rural health stakeholders than ever before. In an effort to maximize advocacy efforts and communications, we are asking stakeholders to fill out this brief form if you will be in the D.C. area and would be interested in participating in Hill meetings with your Congressional delegation:
Congress must prioritize funding vital rural health programs in order to support rural communities’ access to local care, sustain the rural health infrastructure, and bolster the workforce. We encourage you to urge Congress to fully fund rural health programs and pass a comprehensive FY 2027 budget.
We encourage you to also utilize our advocacy campaigns below and urge Congress to invest in rural health (FY 2027 appropriations).
If you have any questions, please contact our Grassroots & Communications Coordinator Sabrina Ho.