Rural health goes far beyond the hospital’s walls, according to Secretary Kennedy

“We have to... preserve these rural hospitals, and they were closing at an epidemic rate.”

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert Kennedy is doubling down on rural hospitals and the role they play in rural communities.

Speaking alongside Texas Governor Greg Abbot, he says that rural health goes far beyond the hospital walls.

According to the Secretary, “These institutions are not just medical providers, they’re, in most cases, they’re the single largest employer in those areas. They have the highest paying jobs, and when they lose them, they, as we talked about before and it’s not just the hospital that closes. It’s the pharmacy that closes. It’s the stores that close, and the community collapses. So we have to, and President Trump understands, preserve these rural hospitals, and they were closing at an epidemic rate.”

Some of these issues are being addressed.

The recently passed Big Beautiful Bill includes the Rural Transformation Program. It will spend $50 billion over the course of five years, helping offset other provisions in that legislation.

Related Stories
K-State researchers advise producers to take action, highlighting that prevention is essential for controlling tick populations as cases spread West.
Shaun Haney joined us to discuss rising concerns over farmland ownership in Canada, actions being considered by provinces and farm groups, and the potential impacts of tighter regulations.
Florida’s import rule shows New World screwworm concerns are already affecting livestock movement and market conditions.
Rep. Adrian Smith joins us to discuss the push for nationwide year-round E15 sales and legislative hurdles for getting it into the farm bill.
Lower slaughter numbers reduced 2025 red meat output even with heavier cattle and hogs.
The Supreme Court’s ruling could affect pesticide warning claims well beyond Roundup. Richard Gupton with the Ag Retailers Association joins us to explain the importance of federal pesticide labeling standards and discuss the potential impact on the ag industry and supply chain.