Rural hospitals across the United States are facing multiple challenges both old and new and especially now that any pandemic-related funds they have received are drying up, according to a March 7 Kaiser Health News report.

President Joe Biden will release his proposed fiscal year 2024 budget this week — which he says will extend the Medicare trust fund by at least 25 years, while lowering costs for Medicare beneficiaries. 

Nine national groups representing hospitals and health systems — including the American Hospital Association and the Federation of American Hospitals — have urged Congress to address Medicaid disproportionate share hospital cuts, scheduled to begin in fiscal year 2024.

Here are nine revenue cycle management companies that have announced executive leadership changes in 2023: 

The first hospitals seeking CMS' new rural emergency hospital designation have submitted their applications, Kaiser Health News reported March 6. 

Philadelphia-based Penn Medicine has a pipeline of projects on the horizon, but its CEO said the health system's timeline has slowed, Philadelphia Business Journal reported March 6. 

Livonia, Mich.-based Trinity Health, one of the largest nonprofit health systems in the country, reported an operating loss of approximately $298 million for the six months ending Dec. 31 as expenses continued to exert pressure.

Augusta (Ga.) University Medical Center expanded partnership with revenue cycle software company AccuReg has increased point-of-service collections to $9 million, $5.4 million more than expected. 

In addition to quality of care, available appointments are what patients want most from their healthcare provider, according to a survey from digital health platform Tebra released March 6.

Providence, R.I.- based Lifespan reported net income of $15.3 million for the final quarter of 2022, even as its expenses rose 7.4 percent higher than the same period in 2021.

Winona (Minn.) Health reported a 3 percent operating margin last year boosted by federal pandemic funds. This year, the rural health system with a 49-bed hospital expects annual results to be much worse, according to the Star Tribune.

Gary Herbst, the CEO of cash-strapped Kaweah Health, has turned to county leaders seeking help to keep the Visalia, Calif.-based hospital afloat, the The San Joaquin Valley Sun reported March 5. 

The past few years have been a trying time for healthcare systems.

Ohio lawmakers have introduced a bill modeled after a Colorado law that went into effect last year that aims to increase hospital price transparency, NBC affiliate WCMH reported Feb. 14. 

The No Surprises Act was signed into law in late 2020 in an effort to end surprise medical bills for emergency and scheduled care. But the law has since faced a number of legal challenges as well as a substantial backlog of claims. 

St. Cloud, Minn.-based CentraCare, which operates eight hospitals, had both its default rating and that on various bonds affirmed at "AA-" as the health system continues to enjoy strong local market share and solid financial operations, Fitch Ratings said March 3.

Fresno, Calif.-based Community Health System saw ratings on a series of its bonds downgraded amid sustained financial struggles, S&P Global said March 3.

From decreasing inpatient volumes to reimbursement challenges and rising demand for outpatient care, various factors lead hospitals to shut down or enter bankruptcy. 

After Dallas-based Steward Healthcare announced its intent to close its San Antonio-based Texas Vista Medical Center and asked San Antonio-based University Health to take over, Bexar County officials are saying that they have not received a formal proposal to take over the hospital, local news outlet KSAT reported March 1. 

York, Pa.-based WellSpan Health is moving to paperless statements with MyWellSpan accounts.