Vision
MRHA’s vision is to improve the rural health of
all Michigan’s rural communities
Mission
Our mission is to create a stronger voice and to
advocate for policies and funding that will result in improved
quality of life and health for Michigan’s rural citizens.
Primary Activities
- Develop channels for articulating regional
perspectives on rural policy matters by:
- Convening regional and statewide meetings policy
and educational venues
- Articulating and coordinating existing regional
perspectives and initiatives on a variety of health policy issues,
to maximize their impact on policy
- Provide timely, useful rural health information
to partner organizations, membership, policymakers, media and the
public through the following avenues -
- Research and develop issue papers, human
interest pieces and articles for partner organization publications
highlighting issues of interest to rural communities and providers
- Produce a menu of credible, professional
publications
- Launch a website, populated with timely and
useful information
- Maximize the use of technology to get relevant
information to interested persons
- Vigorously engage in the health policy
development processes, aggressively representing rural
perspectives by
- Broadening Board of Director Memberships
- Engaging with other state associations and the
National Rural Health Association
- Expanding MRHA representation on policy bodies
and other organizations’ boards and advisory councils
- Broadening and increasing association membership
- Educating membership and engaging them in
regional policy dialogues
Develop sustainable resources to support MRHA staffing and
infrastructure through the:
- Develop sustainable resources to support MRHA staffing and
infrastructure through the:
- Development and implementation of a
comprehensive fundraising/development plan for unrestricted
contributions
- Development of sustainable revenue streams from:
- Partner organizations
- Project-specific grants and contracts
- Revenue-enhancing partnerships
History
The Michigan Rural Health Association was
chartered in 1997. The organization was formed as a 501(c)(3)
member organization, with a volunteer board of directors
representative of the chief interest groups already engaged in
rural health policy development.
MRHA growth in membership and in its capacity as an advocacy
organization has been steady. Recently, MRHA refined its mission
and identity, and articulated a stronger, more vigorous role in
the advocacy arena. MRHA is engaged in several strategic rural
health issues, and is poised to become an effective voice for
Michigan’s rural residents and their health care systems. Our
vision is of a stronger, more effective organization that is
actively involved in Michigan health policy dialogue on behalf of
rural communities.
MRHA issues white paper: The Rural Implications of Emergency
Preparedness Planning (February 2003)