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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Rural-urban differences

Physician Workforce: Supply Increased in Metropolitan and Nonmetropolitan Areas but Geographic Disparities Persisted
Describes the change in supply of physicians from 1991 to 2001. Includes data nationally and by state on physicians in nonmetropolitan areas and on the number of specialists versus generalists. Includes a list of Health Resources and Services Administration programs that address the supply and distribution of health professionals, with 1991 and 2001 expenditures for each program.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 10/2003
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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Health Insurance Coverage in Rural America: Chartbook
Information on rural-urban differences in health insurance coverage and differences in socio-economic and employment characteristics of those living in rural versus urban counties.
Additional links: The Uninsured in Rural America Fact Sheet
Author(s): Erika C. Ziller, Andrew F. Coburn, Stephenie L. Loux, Catherine Hoffman, Timothy D. McBride
Date: 09/2003
Sponsoring organization: KFF
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Ambulance Services: Medicare Payments Can be Better Targeted to Trips in Less Densely Populated Rural Areas
Covers factors that affect ambulance costs per trip, how these factors vary across geographic areas, and how well Medicare payments account for geographic cost differences.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 09/2003
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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The Contribution of Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants to Generalist Care in Washington State
Describes the contribution to generalist care made by nurse practitioners (NPs) and physician assistants (PAs) in Washington State. Includes data on NP and PA contributions in rural areas.
Author(s): Eric H. Larson, Lorella Palazzo, Bobbi Berkowitz, Michael J. Pirani, L. Gary Hart
Citation: Health Services Research, 38(4), 1033-1050
Date: 08/2003
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A Primer on Interpreting Hospital Margins
Explains the most commonly used measures of hospital profitability, and how they are used to inform policy changes. Particular emphasis on the different formulas as they impact rural versus urban hospital figures.
Author(s): Kathleen Dalton, Rebecca Slifkin
Date: 07/2003
Sponsoring organization: North Carolina Rural Health Research Program
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MedPAC Report to the Congress: Variation and Innovation in Medicare
Analyzes variation within the Medicare program and explores a variety of possible payment innovations. Includes some rural-specific information. Geographic, market, quality, hospital financial performance, and use of physician services variations are covered. Also examines Medicare's reimbursement for Part B drugs. Recommendations include quality incentives and competitive pricing.
Date: 06/2003
Sponsoring organization: Medicare Payment Advisory Commission
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Models for Providing Hospice Care in Rural Areas: Successes and Challenges
Describes different approaches for providing hospice care in rural areas, with case studies from hospices in Florida, Minnesota, Oregon, and Wisconsin. Includes data on rural and urban Medicare-certified hospice services.
Author(s): Michelle M. Casey, Ira Moscovice, Beth Virnig, Sarah Kind
Date: 01/2003
Sponsoring organization: University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
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Rate of Return on Capital Investments at Small Rural Hospitals
Discusses whether the aging of rural facilities is due to a lower rate of return on capital investment at small rural hospitals. Also examines the impact of membership in a hospital system on access to capital leading to updated buildings and equipment.
Author(s): Jeffrey Stensland, Astrid Knott, Ira Moscovice, Gestur Davidson
Date: 01/2003
Sponsoring organization: University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
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Health, United States, 2003: With Chartbook on Trends in the Health of Americans
Presents an annual overview of national trends in health statistics. Covers health status and determinants, healthcare utilization, access, and expenditures. Includes data on rural areas - see index under "metropolitan/nonmetropolitan data." 2003 edition includes a special feature on diabetes.
Date: 2003
Sponsoring organization: National Center for Health Statistics
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Perinatal and Infant Health Among Rural and Urban American Indians/Alaska Natives
Provides a national profile of rural and urban American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) maternal and infant health.
Author(s): Laura-Mae Baldwin, David C. Grossman, Susan Casey, et al.
Citation: American Journal of Public Health, 92(9), 1491-1497
Date: 09/2002
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