HJAR Jan/Feb 2025

DIALOGUE 16 JAN / FEB 2025 I  HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF ARKANSAS education expansion, and whole-health care — can be successfully adapted to other regions in Arkansas? What challenges might arise in replicating their approach? Boagni The Arkansas Rural Health Partnership has teamed up with the Heartland Whole Health Institute to tackle workforce development head-on. Right now, we’re using a statewide planning grant to bring together stakeholders and build a healthcare workforce toolkit — one that we can adapt for every region in Arkansas. Parts of this toolkit are already making a difference in our own ARHP service area, and we’re excited that Heartland Whole Health Institute, the Community Health Centers of Arkansas, the Rural Health Association of Arkansas, and the Winthrop Rockefeller Institute are all on board as partners. We’re also looking forward to including state workforce leaders in the process. By the time it’s finished, the toolkit should serve as a road map for rural healthcare organizations across the state. We continue to share our experience and successful grant programs to open more rural residency training programs, which are desperately needed to retain residents in the state to serve as a viable workforce in our rural communities. Editor Are you aware of efforts by legislators in poor states to equalize rural hospital rates based on wage indexes? Boagni Yes, rural hospitals in low-wage areas, especially here in Arkansas, often get shortchanged by the current wage index formula, which results in lower reimbursement rates. Proposed changes include revising that formula to better reflect actual costs or even setting a minimum reimbursement floor so smaller facilities aren’t penalized simply because of their location. Editor If you were put in charge of healthcare in the country, what three things would you change immediately? Boagni First, I’d prioritize universal broadband access because so much of modern healthcare — telehealth, remote patient monitoring, even health education — hinges on reliable internet. Next, I’d revamp the reimbursement model so rural providers aren’t shortchanged by wage index formulas that don’t truly reflect local costs of care. Lastly, I’d launch a massive workforce pipeline initiative with scholarships, loan forgiveness, and incentives encouraging students from rural communities to train locally and stay local. Editor What innovations or changes do you foresee in rural healthcare in Arkansas over the next five to 10 years? How can the state better support these communities in the long term? Boagni I envision telehealth becoming a seamless extension of primary and specialty care, drastically cutting travel times and extending services to people who don’t have a hospital just around the corner. Community health workers will become an even bigger force, serving as that essential link between clinical teams and patients who may need extra support. We’ll also see data sharing become second nature so medical records flow smoothly among rural clinics, regional hubs, and larger health systems. At the heart of these changes, though, are partnerships and collaborations. Local hos- pitals, FQHCs, academic institutions, and community organizations must join forces to make a real difference with their com- bined resources and expertise. For these innovations to stick, the state can reinforce what’s already working on the ground: investing in local infrastructure, incentiv- izing shared solutions, and offering flexible funding models that adapt to the evolving needs of rural populations. By supporting these strong, community-driven networks, we can lay the groundwork for sustainable, high-quality healthcare in Arkansas — no matter where you live. Editor Are you hopeful for our rural residents? Boagni Absolutely. The resilience of our rural communities never ceases to amaze me. With the right resources, genuine support from state and federal leaders, and strong partnerships among local organizations and healthcare providers, we can build a system that truly works for everyone — one that lets people stay in the towns they love without compromising on access to quality care. It won’t be easy, but every collaboration we form and every project we launch reaffirms that hope, proving time and again that when we work together, rural Arkansas can thrive. n “With the right resources, genuine support from state and federal leaders, and strong partnerships among local organizations and healthcare providers, we can build a system that truly works for everyone — one that lets people stay in the towns they love without compromising on access to quality care. It won’t be easy, but every collaboration we form and every project we launch reaffirms that hope, proving time and again that when we work together, rural Arkansas can thrive.”