Healthland, America's market leader of healthcare information technology solutions for rural hospitals, kicks off 2013 with increased efforts to bring awareness and support to rural healthcare. The National Rural Health Association (NRHA) recently announced that Healthland is the first health information technology (HIT) provider to become a Platinum-Level corporate sponsor with the organization – just one of the strategies Healthland is using to enhance this year’s efforts. Healthland President and CEO Angie Franks will also join the NRHA to speak at the Rural Health Policy Institute on February 4, 2013, in Washington D.C.

“Rural hospitals are the hearts of their communities, both economically and socially,” said Alan Morgan, CEO of the National Rural Health Association. “They face unique challenges, but their role is critical to maintaining strong communities in rural America. We look forward to working closely with Healthland to advocate at all levels on behalf of rural hospitals and healthcare providers.”

Hosted by the NRHA, the Rural Health Policy Institute is one of the largest rural advocacy events in the country. The event offers professionals the opportunity to learn about the development and implementation of healthcare policy at the federal level, as well as gain knowledge and tips on how to best communicate with elected representatives to advance legislative goals in Congress.

“With healthcare reform underway across the country, rural hospitals can serve as an effective model in the delivery of healthcare,” said Healthland President and CEO Angie Franks. “Primary care is the center of rural healthcare and these providers embody an integrated delivery of care model by managing patients from the emergency room and clinic, to inpatient hospital care, long term care and home health. Healthland has seen first-hand the importance of keeping healthcare local, and I am very proud to support and partner with nearly 500 critical access and small rural hospitals across the United States.”

At the Rural Health Policy institute, Franks will join Healthland Chief Medical Officer and client, Dr. Eric Westberg of Glacial Ridge Health System, to present the session, Regulatory Landmines for Rural Providers, on February 4, 2013. The session will focus on the changes currently impacting the rural healthcare market including: ICD-10, Stage 2 Meaningful Use, the momentum surrounding the ACO movement and the importance of technology in all of these areas. They will also join government agencies and experts from around the country, advocating for the protection of rural healthcare.

More information about all of Healthland’s advocacy efforts is available at www.healthland.com/advocacy.

About Healthland:

Healthland is America’s largest provider of fully integrated solutions to rural community and critical access hospitals, nearly 500 clients across the country. Software and services from Healthland, including its electronic health record (EHR) solution, empower community hospitals to deliver the best possible healthcare by providing a central repository of patient information in all care settings, be it a hospital, clinic or extended care facility.

With more than 30 years of experience in the rural healthcare market, Healthland solutions are uniquely suited to the size and needs of rural hospitals, enabling them to focus on what they do best – care for family, friends and neighbors. The organization currently has offices in its founding city of Glenwood, Minn., population 2,600, as well as its headquarters in Minneapolis, Minn. More information is available at: http://www.healthland.com.