The National Association of Medicaid Directors has released an OBBBA Timeline for Medicaid Policy. It’s frankly one of the most helpful and straight forward documents we have seen. They have a downloadable chart, so check out the link for a resource to share among your Board or leadership in your Rural Health organization.

While the clarity in the chaos is welcome, we can’t help but feel like we owe you a warning. Please don’t wait to get started on your contingency planning and strategic shifts. There are things that you can (and should) be doing now to begin the transitions, planning, and communications up front of these shifts.

Some changes were in place effective July 4, 2025, but other changes, such as the Rural Health Fund, which will be vital to Rural Hospitals everywhere, will begin to see implementation requirements in a matter of months.

This article, by KFF, outlines and explains the Rural Health Fund timelines and requirements – but alert! Things are heating up in just a couple of weeks!

It’s important to realize that the OBBBA Rural Health Fund is TEMPORARY. It is only a provision for five years, so Rural and Critical Access Hospitals need to create a strategic plan to replace that funding over the next several years.

If you need help to review your strategic plan, reach out for a free consultation. Contact@ruralhealthstrategies.com