Questions & Answers

How is WRHA funded?

Most of our income comes from membership dues and sponsorship contributions. We also receive a technical assistance grant from NRHA that helps pay for board member travel to NRHA events, the regional meetings, and some of the newsletter costs. Additional income is generated through the Northwest Regional Rural Health Conference and from newsletter advertising.

What is the Washington Rural Hospital Association?

There is no Washington Rural Hospital Association that we are aware of. We are the Washington Rural Health Association, and there is a Washington State Hospital Association (which has a rural hospital taskforce) and a Rural Health Clinics Association of Washington. Our association is concerned with rural healthcare as it applies to hospitals, but also to a broader base of providers, consumers, and communities.

Why does WRHA have a Washington State University e-mail address?

WRHA contracts for administrative services through the Eastern Washington Area Health Education Center, Washington State University, Spokane Extension. Our staff, physical office and electronic files are located on the downtown Spokane campus of the university. The administrative support provided through this contract does not include any endorsement from WSU of WRHA's legislative activities, and WRHA does not grant preferential treatment to WSU employees or programs.

Can my company do a presentation for your doctors?

Because WRHA is a non-profit with constituents from many different locations and professions, we do not coordinate demonstration seminars. We encourage you to consider advertising in the newsletter or exhibiting at the annual Northwest Regional Rural Health Conference in March.

Are you part of the National Rural Health Association?

The WRHA is an organizational member of the NRHA and receives a technical assistance grant from NRHA each year. Through their coordination, the state associations have a council that meets regularly to discuss our work. WRHA's representatives to this council are John McLean and Kris Sparks. We enjoy a close relationship with the NRHA but are a separate organization. WRHA members are not automatically NRHA members, although the Membership Committee is looking into offering a dual membership in the future.