Speaking Engagements

Presentations are delivered by our founder, Mark, who has over 20 years of experience helping rural providers fight back against exploitative insurance practices. Most organizations who hire Mark find that one of the below topics is well-suited to their needs. Of course, all presentations are tailored to your organizational goals and the unique needs of your audience.

MOST-REQUESTED TOPIC Preyed on: How Insurance Corporations Are Bleeding Rural Hospitals and Communities to Death

60-Minute Keynote

Summary

This session brings to life our newest research report, detailing the ways America's corporatized, profit-driven health insurance industry is bleeding rural hospitals to death. Exploiting loopholes in the federal Medicare Advantage program in particular, these insurance corporations are killing community hospitals to pad their record-breaking profits. Mark shares the systemic challenges rural providers face in securing fair reimbursements and offers actionable strategies to support legislative change and advocacy, while equipping rural hospital leaders with proven methods to claw back more of the reimbursements they’re owed.

Structure

Drawing from insights gathered from rural hospital leaders across the country, along with new research into viable legislative proposals and innovative methods for rural hospital leaders to improve their bottom lines, this presentation underscores the dire situation facing rural hospitals, and what can be done to start fixing it.

Attendees will learn:

What 40+ rural hospital leaders have to say about the damaging impacts of payer policies and plans, particularly Medicare Advantage plansThe need for significant reforms, including greater transparency into insurance corporation operations, tighter regulations on the insurance industry, and a crackdown on deceptive advertisingMeasurable, sustainable options rural hospital leaders can take to maintain independence and avoid merging with larger health systems

Target Audience

This session is designed for rural hospital leaders, administrators, policymakers, and advocates who are ready to take on insurance corporations and fight for fairer treatment of rural health systems.

Key Takeaways

Audience members will leave with:

A big-picture understanding of how we got into this mess, and how to start climbing outStrategies for raising awareness and joining forces with other stakeholders to leverage collective advocacy and enact real changeImmediately-actionable tools and methods to reduce administrative load and claw back rightfully owed reimbursements

This session provides critical insights, practical tools, and a clear roadmap for rural hospital leaders ready to confront exploitative insurance corporations, protect their communities, and build a sustainable future for independent rural healthcare.

ENQUIRE NOW

Overcoming Exploitative Payer Practices

Across the country, independent rural hospitals are hurting – forced to close units, eliminate services, and postpone upgrades to aging facilities. The main culprit? An unfair payment system that effectively bleeds these community institutions dry, all while lining the pockets of greedier-than-ever insurance companies. But there is hope! In this inspiring session, Mark focuses the bulk of his presentation time on the critical, immediately-actionable steps that rural hospitals can take right now to help them stay independent, grow stronger, and preserve their role as pillars of healthy communities.

Medicare Advantage: The Greatest Corporate Steal in American History

Medicare Advantage was introduced as an alternative to Medicare, promising better care at lower costs, but its history tells a different story. Over time, policy changes and unchecked corporate influence have transformed it into a profit engine for insurance companies, exploiting loopholes to the detriment of rural hospitals and taxpayers. In this eye-opening session, Mark explores the origins of Medicare Advantage, its evolution into a system rife with inequities, and its devastating impact on rural healthcare. Attendees will leave armed with the knowledge needed to join the fight for greater accountability, policy reform, and a future where rural hospitals can thrive.

About Mark Craig

Mark’s expertise lies in holding insurance companies accountable for the harm their exploitative practices cause to rural healthcare systems and the communities they serve. As the founder of Write-Off Warrior, Mark has spent over two decades advocating for rural hospitals and independent providers, shining a light on inequitable payer practices and driving meaningful change to support the future of rural healthcare.

Mark’s work is grounded in real-world experience and backed by rigorous research, making him a sought-after speaker and trusted advisor for healthcare leaders. He is on the faculty of HomeTown Health University, educating over 20,000 students nationwide, and a regular presenter at HomeTown Health’s annual conference, where his insights have proven transformative for rural hospitals. Known for his relatable style and deep commitment to driving change, Mark equips audiences with the knowledge, tools, and motivation they need to challenge the status quo and secure a stronger future for rural healthcare.