August 3, 2026: Rural Cybersecurity Enhancement, Healthcare Layoffs & an Aging in Community Program

Rural Health News is a weekly segment of Rural Health Today, a podcast by Hillsdale Hospital. News sources for this episode:  Congresswoman Erin Houchin, “Houchin Introduces Bipartisan Rural Hospital Cybersecurity Enhancement Act,” July 27, 2026, https://houchin.house.gov/media/press-releases/houchin-introduces-bipartisan-rural-hospital-cybersecurity-enhancement-act.  U.S. Congressman Glenn Thompson, “Thompson Introduces Legislation to Strengthen Rural Hospitals' Cybersecurity Infrastructure,” July 27, 2026, https://thompson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/thompson-introduces-legislation-strengthen-rural-hospitals.  Kelly Gooch & Kristin Kuchno, “The hospitals, health systems cutting jobs in 2026,” July 29, 2026, https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/finance/the-hospitals-health-systems-cutting-jobs-in-2026/, Becker’s Hospital Review.  Madeline Scheetz, “Shuttered Chicago hospital to lay off 500,” July 1, 2026, https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/finance/shuttered-chicago-hospital-plans-mass-layoffs/, Becker’s Hospital Review.  Healthcare Staff Et al., “Fierce Healthcare Layoff Tracker—MaineHealth reorgs hit 83; Tower Health cutting 160 at PA hospital,” July 29, 2026, https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/finance/fierce-healthcare-layoff-tracker-2026-job-cuts-eliminations-health-systems-hospitals, Fierce Healthcare.  Madeline Scheetz, “Kansas hospital CEO to resign amid ‘significant workforce reduction’,” July 23, 2026, https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/finance/kansas-hospital-ceo-to-resign-amid-significant-workforce-reduction/, Becker’s Hospital Review.  Wil Day, “Layoffs coming as financially troubled Kansas hospital tries to ‘stabilize’,” July 23, 2026, https://www.ksn.com/news/state-regional/pratt-regional-medical-center-layoffs/, KSN News. Kim Chockley, “PRMC Announces Urgent Care Clinic Closure and Critical Financial Situation,” February 18, 2025, https://prmc.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Feb2025PRMCUpdate.pdf, Pratt Regional Medical Center. Lee Cowan, “Home, not alone: Helping aging seniors in rural America,” July 26, 2026, https://www.cbsnews.com/news/home-not-alone-helping-aging-seniors-in-rural-america/, CBS News. Rural Health Today is a production of Hillsdale Hospital in Hillsdale, Michigan and a member of the Health Podcast Network. Our host is JJ Hodshire, our producer is Kyrsten Newlon, and our audio engineer is Kenji Ulmer. Special thanks to our special guests for sharing their expertise on the show, and also to the Hillsdale Hospital marketing team. If you want to submit a question for us to answer on the podcast or learn more about Rural Health Today, visit ruralhealthtoday.com.