MARYLAND RURAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION INC: Form 990EZ, tax year 2015
View the entire original 990 at ProPublica ↗
- Organization
- MARYLAND RURAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION INC (EIN 52-1967676)
- Tax period
- 2015-07-01 to 2016-06-30
- Filed
- 2017-05-11
- IRS object ID
- 201741319349202229
- Schema version
- 2015v3.0
- Source
- Download XML · Original 990 at ProPublica
Every field in the e-filed return. Faint text is the IRS element name, for citing.
Return header ReturnHeader
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| Return | 2017-05-11T14:12:54-04:00 | ReturnTs |
| Tax Period End | 2016-06-30 | TaxPeriodEndDt |
Preparer Firm PreparerFirmGrp
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| Preparer Firm EIN | 200274631 | PreparerFirmEIN |
Preparer Firm Name PreparerFirmName
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| Business Name Line1 | TOAL GRIFFITH RAGULA LLC | BusinessNameLine1Txt |
Preparer US Address PreparerUSAddress
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| Address Line1 | 130 ADMIRAL COCHRANE DR SUITE 200 | AddressLine1Txt |
| City | ANNAPOLIS | CityNm |
| State Abbreviation | MD | StateAbbreviationCd |
| ZIP | 214017368 | ZIPCd |
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| Return Type | 990EZ | ReturnTypeCd |
| Tax Period Begin | 2015-07-01 | TaxPeriodBeginDt |
Filer Filer
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| EIN | 521967676 | EIN |
Business Name BusinessName
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| Business Name Line1 | MARYLAND RURAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION | BusinessNameLine1Txt |
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| Business Name Control | MARY | BusinessNameControlTxt |
| Phone | 4106936988 | PhoneNum |
US Address USAddress
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| Address Line1 | PO BOX 475 | AddressLine1Txt |
| City | CENTREVILLE | CityNm |
| State Abbreviation | MD | StateAbbreviationCd |
| ZIP | 21617 | ZIPCd |
Business Officer BusinessOfficerGrp
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| Person | LARA D WILSON | PersonNm |
| Person Title | ED 1/16-PRESENT | PersonTitleTxt |
| Phone | 4106936988 | PhoneNum |
| Signature | 2017-05-11 | SignatureDt |
| Discuss With Paid Preparer | Yes (true) | DiscussWithPaidPreparerInd |
Preparer Person PreparerPersonGrp
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| Preparer Person | AMANDA R RAGULA CPA | PreparerPersonNm |
| PTIN | P01272970 | PTIN |
| Phone | 4102240343 | PhoneNum |
| Preparation | 2017-05-11 | PreparationDt |
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| Tax | 2015 | TaxYr |
| Build TS | 2021-01-29 14:40:06Z | BuildTS |
Form 990-EZ IRS990EZ
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| Address Change | Yes (X) | AddressChangeInd |
| Method Of Accounting Cash | Yes (X) | MethodOfAccountingCashInd |
| Website Address | WWW.MDRURALHEALTH.ORG | WebsiteAddressTxt |
| Organization501c3 | Yes (X) | Organization501c3Ind |
| Type Of Organization Corp | Yes (X) | TypeOfOrganizationCorpInd |
| Gross Receipts | $87,622 | GrossReceiptsAmt |
| Info In Schedule O Part I | Yes (X) | InfoInScheduleOPartIInd |
| Contributions Gifts Grants Etc | $63,411 | ContributionsGiftsGrantsEtcAmt |
| Program Service Revenue | $11,190 | ProgramServiceRevenueAmt |
| Membership Dues | $12,950 | MembershipDuesAmt |
| Investment Income | $71 | InvestmentIncomeAmt |
| Total Revenue | $87,622 | TotalRevenueAmt |
| Grants And Similar Amounts Paid | $12,085 | GrantsAndSimilarAmountsPaidAmt |
| Salaries Other Comp Empl Bnft | $54,604 | SalariesOtherCompEmplBnftAmt |
| Fees And Other Pymt To Ind Cntrct | $17,147 | FeesAndOtherPymtToIndCntrctAmt |
| Other Expenses Total | $31,448 | OtherExpensesTotalAmt |
| Total Expenses | $115,284 | TotalExpensesAmt |
| Excess Or Deficit For Year | -$27,662 | ExcessOrDeficitForYearAmt |
| Net Assets Or Fund Balances BOY | $104,898 | NetAssetsOrFundBalancesBOYAmt |
| Net Assets Or Fund Balances EOY | $77,236 | NetAssetsOrFundBalancesEOYAmt |
| Info In Schedule O Part II | Yes (X) | InfoInScheduleOPartIIInd |
Cash Savings And Investments CashSavingsAndInvestmentsGrp
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| BOY | $103,716 | BOYAmt |
| EOY | $76,303 | EOYAmt |
Other Assets Total Detail OtherAssetsTotalDetail
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| BOY | $1,182 | BOYAmt |
| EOY | $933 | EOYAmt |
Form990 Total Assets Form990TotalAssetsGrp
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| BOY | $104,898 | BOYAmt |
| EOY | $77,236 | EOYAmt |
Net Assets Or Fund Balances NetAssetsOrFundBalancesGrp
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| BOY | $104,898 | BOYAmt |
| EOY | $77,236 | EOYAmt |
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| Info In Schedule O Part III | Yes (X) | InfoInScheduleOPartIIIInd |
| Primary Exempt Purpose | THE MARYLAND RURAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION IS A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION WHOSE MISSION IS TO EDUCATE AND ADVOCATE FOR THE OPTIMAL HEALTH OF RURAL COMMUNITIES AND THEIR RESIDENTS. | PrimaryExemptPurposeTxt |
Program Srvc Accomplishment ProgramSrvcAccomplishmentGrp
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| Description Program Srvc Accom | ADVOCACY: GROWING PRESENCE IN ANNAPOLIS EDUCATING ON THE IMPORTANCE OF IMPROVING THE HEALTH OF RURAL COMMUNITIES WITH AN ANNUAL PUBLISHED LEGISLATIVE AGENDA AND TRACKING OF INTRODUCED LEGISLATION IMPACTING RURAL HEALTH. IN 2015 MRHA EDUCATED ON THE NEED FOR THE REMOVAL OF ATTESTATION REQUIREMENT FOR ALL NURSE PRACTITIONERS (NP)S TO HELP RECRUIT AND RETAIN NPS IN RURAL MARYLAND. MRHA HELPED EDUCATE ON THE NEED TO PROHIBIT ELECTRONIC CIGARETTES SALES TO MINORS TO HELP DETER TOBACCO USE IN RURAL MARYLAND WHERE THERE IS HIGHER TOBACCO USAGE RATES. ON THE BUDGET SIDE MRHA CONTINUED TO ADVOCATE FOR INCREASES IN THE MARYLAND AGRICULTURE EDUCATIONAL AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE FUND (MAERDAF) GRANT PROGRAM AND THE RURAL MARYLAND COUNCIL (RMC). ADDITIONALLY MRHA IS VERY SUPPORTIVE OF RESTORING FUNDING TO RURAL LOCAL HEALTH DEPARTMENT (LHD)S. OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR SERVED ON THE NETWORK ADEQUACY WORKGROUP OF THE MARYLAND HEALTH BENEFIT EXCHANGE THAT WAS CHARGED WITH COMING UP WITH RECOMMENDATION ON HOW TO ENSURE AN ADEQUATE NETWORK OF PROVIDERS WITHIN NEW QUALIFIED HEALTH PLANS. ADDITIONALLY, MRHA WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN THE CONSUMER ENGAGEMENT TASKFORCE OF THE HSCRC. MRHA CONTINUES TO ENSURE THERE ARE RURAL VOICES AT IMPORTANT STATEWIDE BODIES LIKE THESE THAT HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO IMPROVE RURAL HEALTH. EDUCATION: MRHA IS THE LEADER IN EDUCATING STATEWIDE STAKEHOLDERS ON PROGRAMS AND PRACTICES IMPORTANT TO KEEP RURAL MARYLAND HEALTHY AND IN CONTINUING A STATEWIDE RURAL EVENT THE LAST SIX YEARS THAT HAS BROUGHT TOGETHER STAKEHOLDERS FROM ALL RURAL REGIONS OF THE STATE TO UNDERSTAND AND LEARN FROM EACH OTHER ON HOW TO IMPROVE THEIR COMMUNITY'S HEALTH. THE OCTOBER 2014 EVENT BROUGHT TOGETHER OVER 110 STAKEHOLDERS IN HAGERSTOWN, MD AND WAS THE LARGEST EVENT TO DATE. DIRECT SUPPORT TO RURAL COMMUNITIES: MRHA SUPPORTED TWO SPELLING EVENTS ON THE EASTERN SHORE AND ONE IN WESTERN MARYLAND TO PROMOTE HEALTH CAREERS TO MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS. MRHA RETAINS SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS FOR THESE RURAL STUDENTS AS THEY BEGAN TO ENTER HIGHER EDUCATION THROUGH 2016. MRHA ALSO HELPED TO SUPPORT THREE WINNERS OF THE STATE OFFICE OF RURAL HEALTH'S RURAL HEALTH DAY PHOTO CONTESTS IN NOVEMBER 2014. MRHA PARTNERED WITH THE MARYLAND CITIZENS' HEALTH INITIATIVE (MCHI) TO IMPROVE RURAL OUTREACH AND ENROLLMENT OF THE UNINSURED. PART OF THIS COLLABORATION INCLUDED SECOND ANNUAL LISTENING SESSIONS WITH THE RURAL CONNECTOR ENTITIES TO GAIN FIRST-HAND FEEDBACK ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE MARYLAND HEALTH BENEFIT EXCHANGE DURING THE FIRST ENROLLMENT PERIOD OF THE ACA. THROUGH THIS WORK MRHA WAS THE LEADER IN ESTABLISHING THE RURAL ACTION ENROLLMENT NETWORK (RAEN). IN 2015 MRHA RECEIVED ITS FIRST ONE YEAR FEDERAL RURAL HEALTH NETWORK PLANNING DEVELOPMENT GRANT TO BRING TOGETHER PARTNERS IN RURAL WESTERN MARYLAND TO IMPROVE THE OUTREACH AND ENROLLMENT PROCESS FOR WESTERN MARYLAND AND NEIGHBORING COUNTIES BY IDENTIFYING BEST PRACTICES THAT ADDRESS BARRIERS TO ITS SUCCESS. RAEN HAS INCREASED THE CAPACITY OF CONSUMER ASSISTANCE WORKERS TO PROVIDE BENEFITS COUNSELING TO CONSUMERS IN THE REGION BY PROVIDING EDUCATION TO BOTH CONSUMERS AND CONSUMER ASSISTANCE WORKERS ON BEST PRACTICES FOR CHOOSING AND USING HEALTH INSURANCE. RAEN WILL SUCCESSFULLY CONTINUE THE NEXT THREE YEARS WITH CONTINUED FEDERAL FUNDING TO MEMBER MOUNTAIN LAUREL MEDICAL CENTER. | DescriptionProgramSrvcAccomTxt |
| Grants And Allocations | $12,085 | GrantsAndAllocationsAmt |
| Program Service Expenses | $96,922 | ProgramServiceExpensesAmt |
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| Total Program Service Expenses | $96,922 | TotalProgramServiceExpensesAmt |
Officer Director Trustee Empl OfficerDirectorTrusteeEmplGrp (14 entries)
| TitleTitleTxt | Average Hrs Per Wk Devoted To PosAverageHrsPerWkDevotedToPosRt | CompensationCompensationAmt |
|---|---|---|
| LARA D WILSON | ||
| ED 1/16-PRES | 40.00 | $6,769 |
| DEBBIE GOELLER | ||
| DIRECTOR | 1.00 | $0 |
| LORI WERRELL | ||
| PRESIDENT | 1.00 | $0 |
| ROBERT STEPHENS | ||
| SECRETARY | 1.00 | $0 |
| MARK RAJKOWSKI | ||
| TREASURER | 1.00 | $0 |
| MARK BOUCOT | ||
| DIRECTOR | 1.00 | $0 |
| STEPHANIE GARRITY | ||
| VICE PRESIDE | 1.00 | $0 |
| JENNIFER BERKMAN | ||
| DIRECTOR | 1.00 | $0 |
| ANNIE KRONK | ||
| DIRECTOR | 1.00 | $0 |
| MICHAEL MEIT | ||
| DIRECTOR | 1.00 | $0 |
| MIKE SHAW | ||
| DIRECTOR | 1.00 | $0 |
| MEENA BREWSTER | ||
| DIRECTOR | 1.00 | $0 |
| EARL STONER | ||
| DIRECTOR | 1.00 | $0 |
| SUSAN STEWART | ||
| DIRECTOR | 1.00 | $0 |
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| Activities Not Previously Rpt | false | ActivitiesNotPreviouslyRptInd |
| Chg Made To Orgnzng Doc Not Rpt | false | ChgMadeToOrgnzngDocNotRptInd |
| Organization Had UBI | false | OrganizationHadUBIInd |
| Subject To Proxy Tax | false | SubjectToProxyTaxInd |
| Organization Dissolved Etc | false | OrganizationDissolvedEtcInd |
| Form1120 Pol Filed | false | Form1120PolFiledInd |
| Made Loans To From Officers | false | MadeLoansToFromOfficersInd |
| Engaged In Excess Benefit Trans | false | EngagedInExcessBenefitTransInd |
| Prohibited Tax Shelter Trans | false | ProhibitedTaxShelterTransInd |
| States Where Copy Of Return Is Fld | MD | StatesWhereCopyOfReturnIsFldCd |
Books In Care Of Detail BooksInCareOfDetail
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| Person | LARA WILSON | PersonNm |
US Address USAddress
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| Address Line1 | PO BOX 475 | AddressLine1Txt |
| City | CENTREVILLE | CityNm |
| State Abbreviation | MD | StateAbbreviationCd |
| ZIP | 21617 | ZIPCd |
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 4106936988 | PhoneNum |
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| Foreign Financial Account | false | ForeignFinancialAccountInd |
| Foreign Office | false | ForeignOfficeInd |
| Donor Advised Fnds | false | DonorAdvisedFndsInd |
| Operate Hospital | false | OperateHospitalInd |
| Tanning Services Provided | false | TanningServicesProvidedInd |
| Related Organization Ctrl Ent | false | RelatedOrganizationCtrlEntInd |
| Transaction With Control Ent | false | TransactionWithControlEntInd |
| Political Campaign Acty | false | PoliticalCampaignActyInd |
| Lobbying Activities | false | LobbyingActivitiesInd |
| School Operating | false | SchoolOperatingInd |
| Trnsfr Exmpt Non Chrtbl Rltd Org | false | TrnsfrExmptNonChrtblRltdOrgInd |
| Part VI Of Comp Of Hghst Pd Empl | NONE | PartVIOfCompOfHghstPdEmplTxt |
| Part VI Hghst Pd Cntrct Prof Srvc | NONE | PartVIHghstPdCntrctProfSrvcTxt |
| Filed Schedule A | Yes (true) | FiledScheduleAInd |
Schedule A IRS990ScheduleA
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| Public Organization170 | Yes (X) | PublicOrganization170Ind |
Gifts Grants Contri Rcvd170 GiftsGrantsContriRcvd170Grp
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| Current Tax Year Minus4 Years | $26,770 | CurrentTaxYearMinus4YearsAmt |
| Current Tax Year Minus3 Years | $78,892 | CurrentTaxYearMinus3YearsAmt |
| Current Tax Year Minus2 Years | $35,938 | CurrentTaxYearMinus2YearsAmt |
| Current Tax Year Minus1 Year | $112,927 | CurrentTaxYearMinus1YearAmt |
| Current Tax Year | $63,411 | CurrentTaxYearAmt |
| Total | $317,938 | TotalAmt |
Total Calendar Year170 TotalCalendarYear170Grp
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| Current Tax Year Minus4 Years | $26,770 | CurrentTaxYearMinus4YearsAmt |
| Current Tax Year Minus3 Years | $78,892 | CurrentTaxYearMinus3YearsAmt |
| Current Tax Year Minus2 Years | $35,938 | CurrentTaxYearMinus2YearsAmt |
| Current Tax Year Minus1 Year | $112,927 | CurrentTaxYearMinus1YearAmt |
| Current Tax Year | $63,411 | CurrentTaxYearAmt |
| Total | $317,938 | TotalAmt |
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| Public Support Total170 | $317,938 | PublicSupportTotal170Amt |
Gross Investment Income170 GrossInvestmentIncome170Grp
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| Current Tax Year Minus4 Years | $96 | CurrentTaxYearMinus4YearsAmt |
| Current Tax Year Minus3 Years | $45 | CurrentTaxYearMinus3YearsAmt |
| Current Tax Year Minus2 Years | $103 | CurrentTaxYearMinus2YearsAmt |
| Current Tax Year Minus1 Year | $63 | CurrentTaxYearMinus1YearAmt |
| Current Tax Year | $71 | CurrentTaxYearAmt |
| Total | $378 | TotalAmt |
Other Income170 OtherIncome170Grp
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| Current Tax Year Minus3 Years | $2,780 | CurrentTaxYearMinus3YearsAmt |
| Total | $2,780 | TotalAmt |
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| Total Support | $321,096 | TotalSupportAmt |
| Gross Receipts Rltd Activities | $114,191 | GrossReceiptsRltdActivitiesAmt |
| Public Support CY170 | 0.99020 | PublicSupportCY170Pct |
| Public Support PY170 | 0.98900 | PublicSupportPY170Pct |
| Thirty Thr Pct Suprt Tests CY170 | Yes (X) | ThirtyThrPctSuprtTestsCY170Ind |
Form990 Schedule A Part VI Form990ScheduleAPartVIGrp
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| Form And Line Reference | PART II, LINE 10 | FormAndLineReferenceDesc |
| Explanation | OTHER INCOME 2,780 | ExplanationTxt |
Schedule B IRS990ScheduleB
Contributor Information ContributorInformationGrp
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| Contributor | RESTRICTED | ContributorNum |
Contributor Business Name ContributorBusinessName
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| Business Name Line1 | RESTRICTED | BusinessNameLine1 |
Contributor US Address ContributorUSAddress
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| Address Line1 | RESTRICTED | AddressLine1 |
| Address Line2 | RESTRICTED | AddressLine2 |
| City | RESTRICTED | City |
| State | RESTRICTED | State |
| ZIP Code | RESTRICTED | ZIPCode |
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| Total Contributions | RESTRICTED | TotalContributionsAmt |
Schedule O IRS990ScheduleO
Supplemental Information Detail SupplementalInformationDetail (5 entries)
| Form And Line ReferenceFormAndLineReferenceDesc | ExplanationExplanationTxt |
|---|---|
| FORM 990-EZ, PART I, LINE 10 | 12,085 0 0 |
| FORM 990-EZ, PART I, LINE 16 | EXPENSES INTERNET MARKETING 993 OFFICE EXPENSE 4,365 BANK FEES 192 MISC 1,440 TRAVEL 6,010 CONFERENCES & MEETINGS 15,367 INSURANCE 1,231 COMMUNITY OUTREACH 1,536 NON-INVESTMENT DEPRECIATION 314 TOTAL 31,448 |
| FORM 990-EZ, PART II, LINE 24 | FIXED ASSETS 2,454 2,224 LESS ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION 1,272 1,291 TOTAL 1,182 933 |
| FORM 990-EZ, PART III | THE MARYLAND RURAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION IS A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION WHOSE MISSION IS TO EDUCATE AND ADVOCATE FOR THE OPTIMAL HEALTH OF RURAL COMMUNITIES AND THEIR RESIDENTS. |
| FORM 990-EZ, PART III, LINE 28 | ADVOCACY: GROWING PRESENCE IN ANNAPOLIS EDUCATING ON THE IMPORTANCE OF IMPROVING THE HEALTH OF RURAL COMMUNITIES WITH AN ANNUAL PUBLISHED LEGISLATIVE AGENDA AND TRACKING OF INTRODUCED LEGISLATION IMPACTING RURAL HEALTH. IN 2015 MRHA EDUCATED ON THE NEED FOR THE REMOVAL OF ATTESTATION REQUIREMENT FOR ALL NURSE PRACTITIONERS (NP)S TO HELP RECRUIT AND RETAIN NPS IN RURAL MARYLAND. MRHA HELPED EDUCATE ON THE NEED TO PROHIBIT ELECTRONIC CIGARETTES SALES TO MINORS TO HELP DETER TOBACCO USE IN RURAL MARYLAND WHERE THERE IS HIGHER TOBACCO USAGE RATES. ON THE BUDGET SIDE MRHA CONTINUED TO ADVOCATE FOR INCREASES IN THE MARYLAND AGRICULTURE EDUCATIONAL AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE FUND (MAERDAF) GRANT PROGRAM AND THE RURAL MARYLAND COUNCIL (RMC). ADDITIONALLY MRHA IS VERY SUPPORTIVE OF RESTORING FUNDING TO RURAL LOCAL HEALTH DEPARTMENT (LHD)S. OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR SERVED ON THE NETWORK ADEQUACY WORKGROUP OF THE MARYLAND HEALTH BENEFIT EXCHANGE THAT WAS CHARGED WITH COMING UP WITH RECOMMENDATION ON HOW TO ENSURE AN ADEQUATE NETWORK OF PROVIDERS WITHIN NEW QUALIFIED HEALTH PLANS. ADDITIONALLY, MRHA WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN THE CONSUMER ENGAGEMENT TASKFORCE OF THE HSCRC. MRHA CONTINUES TO ENSURE THERE ARE RURAL VOICES AT IMPORTANT STATEWIDE BODIES LIKE THESE THAT HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO IMPROVE RURAL HEALTH. EDUCATION: MRHA IS THE LEADER IN EDUCATING STATEWIDE STAKEHOLDERS ON PROGRAMS AND PRACTICES IMPORTANT TO KEEP RURAL MARYLAND HEALTHY AND IN CONTINUING A STATEWIDE RURAL EVENT THE LAST SIX YEARS THAT HAS BROUGHT TOGETHER STAKEHOLDERS FROM ALL RURAL REGIONS OF THE STATE TO UNDERSTAND AND LEARN FROM EACH OTHER ON HOW TO IMPROVE THEIR COMMUNITY'S HEALTH. THE OCTOBER 2014 EVENT BROUGHT TOGETHER OVER 110 STAKEHOLDERS IN HAGERSTOWN, MD AND WAS THE LARGEST EVENT TO DATE. DIRECT SUPPORT TO RURAL COMMUNITIES: MRHA SUPPORTED TWO SPELLING EVENTS ON THE EASTERN SHORE AND ONE IN WESTERN MARYLAND TO PROMOTE HEALTH CAREERS TO MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS. MRHA RETAINS SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS FOR THESE RURAL STUDENTS AS THEY BEGAN TO ENTER HIGHER EDUCATION THROUGH 2016. MRHA ALSO HELPED TO SUPPORT THREE WINNERS OF THE STATE OFFICE OF RURAL HEALTH'S RURAL HEALTH DAY PHOTO CONTESTS IN NOVEMBER 2014. MRHA PARTNERED WITH THE MARYLAND CITIZENS' HEALTH INITIATIVE (MCHI) TO IMPROVE RURAL OUTREACH AND ENROLLMENT OF THE UNINSURED. PART OF THIS COLLABORATION INCLUDED SECOND ANNUAL LISTENING SESSIONS WITH THE RURAL CONNECTOR ENTITIES TO GAIN FIRST-HAND FEEDBACK ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE MARYLAND HEALTH BENEFIT EXCHANGE DURING THE FIRST ENROLLMENT PERIOD OF THE ACA. THROUGH THIS WORK MRHA WAS THE LEADER IN ESTABLISHING THE RURAL ACTION ENROLLMENT NETWORK (RAEN). IN 2015 MRHA RECEIVED ITS FIRST ONE YEAR FEDERAL RURAL HEALTH NETWORK PLANNING DEVELOPMENT GRANT TO BRING TOGETHER PARTNERS IN RURAL WESTERN MARYLAND TO IMPROVE THE OUTREACH AND ENROLLMENT PROCESS FOR WESTERN MARYLAND AND NEIGHBORING COUNTIES BY IDENTIFYING BEST PRACTICES THAT ADDRESS BARRIERS TO ITS SUCCESS. RAEN HAS INCREASED THE CAPACITY OF CONSUMER ASSISTANCE WORKERS TO PROVIDE BENEFITS COUNSELING TO CONSUMERS IN THE REGION BY PROVIDING EDUCATION TO BOTH CONSUMERS AND CONSUMER ASSISTANCE WORKERS ON BEST PRACTICES FOR CHOOSING AND USING HEALTH INSURANCE. RAEN WILL SUCCESSFULLY CONTINUE THE NEXT THREE YEARS WITH CONTINUED FEDERAL FUNDING TO MEMBER MOUNTAIN LAUREL MEDICAL CENTER. |