The Rural Policy Research Institute - RUPRI

New RUPRI Center brief: MEDICARE ADVANTAGE ENROLLMENT UPDATE 2025
This policy brief is part of the RUPRI Center's ongoing annual series analyzing Medicare Advantage (MA) enrollment trends. It examines both total and rural/urban (nonmetropolitan/metropolitan) enrollment patterns, as well as shifts in the types of MA plans selected by beneficiaries. The brief also explores how past policy changes may have influenced these enrollment dynamics.
Key Findings:
• MA enrollment in 2025 grew 1.5 percent from 2024, marking the smallest annual increase in a decade. However, growth remained higher in nonmetropolitan counties (2.5 percent) than metropolitan counties (1.4 percent).
• Despite past projections, nonmetropolitan MA pe*******on did not exceed 50 percent in 2025. Instead, it reached 49.2 percent, compared to 56.8 percent in metropolitan counties.
• Much of the growth in nonmetropolitan MA enrollment remains in local preferred provider organization plans.

Click for full brief - https://rupri.public-health.uiowa.edu/publications/policybriefs/2026/2025%20MA%20Enrollment%20Update.pdf

New policy brief from the RUPRI Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis -
Changes in Staffing, Resident Health, Closure, and Financial Performance of Rural Nursing Homes from 2017 to 2022

by Gulrukh Mehboob, MS; Hari Sharma, PhD; Fred Ullrich, BA; Keith Mueller, PhD

In this study, we will compare the changes in resident health status as well as average nursing home staffing levels for registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and certified nurse aides from 2017 to 2022. We will also evaluate nursing home closure and financial performance for rural and urban nursing homes from 2017 to 2022.

Click here to read full brief:https://rupri.public-health.uiowa.edu/publications/policybriefs/2026/Nursing_Home_Staffing_and_Performance.pdf

Magazine article published in the April 2026 issue of Good Day!
RUPRI work highlighted work from the Rural Wealth Framework and the Future of Rural Health Summit. www.rupri.org

📬 Now arriving in mailboxes across the country!
The April 2026 issue of Good Day! magazine focuses on the question "How do we define 'Rural America?'" With more than a dozen definitions, it's not as easy as you think.
This issue also includes information about Grange programs, introduces a new "Health & Wellness" section, and welcomes spring with recipes featuring fresh, seasonal produce and herbs... and more!

Not a subscriber yet? Visit https://www.nationalgrange.org/goodday to subscribe today, or visit the Grange Store to order a copy.