Healthcare Access in Rural Communities – News
News stories from the past 60 days.
Nov 26, 2023 - Summarizes recent research finding that 17% of Medicare patients travel 50 or more miles for neurology care, noting that the travel burden is higher for residents of rural areas. Discusses the impact of travel time on follow-up care, the potential for telehealth, and workforce shortages.
Source: Fortune Well
Nov 22, 2023 - Planned hospitals in the Texas Panhandle will increase access to mental healthcare, including inpatient care, for rural residents. Describes current distance to care for residents and the impact on the local criminal justice system. Highlights local efforts to improve the mental health of the residents and the gaps the hospitals will fill.
Source: The Texas Tribune
Nov 15, 2023 - A new research center studying opioid effects in infant and children is being built in Arkansas. Part of the mission is to research and train rural Arkansas hospitals on new methods for treating addiction in newborns with the goal of expanding treatment access nationwide.
Source: Axios
Nov 3, 2023 - Highlights actions taken by the Biden-Harris Administration with regard to rural healthcare. Areas addressed include access to health insurance, facility closures, cyber security, workforce shortages, telehealth, access to healthcare, and more.
Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Nov 2, 2023 - Part 3 of a documentary highlighting telehealth as a solution to healthcare access challenges, particularly for gender affirming care and maternal healthcare. Discusses the impacts of COVID on telehealth practice. Discusses barriers to telehealth such as broadband access and comfort with technology. Captions are available in the video player.
Source: STAT News
Oct 26, 2023 - Offers an overview of comments to legislators regarding issues with access to maternal care in Nebraska. Discusses long travel times, time off work, childcare, recruitment, and Medicaid reimbursement rates.
Source: Nebraska Public Media
Oct 15, 2023 - Explores the lack of obstetric units in Alabama and nationally in rural communities. Discusses the distances pregnant women have to travel to receive care and highlights maternity care deserts in Alabama and in rural areas nationally.
Source: NBC News
Oct 13, 2023 - Highlights presentations and discussions at an event at Rockingham Community College in Wentworth, North Carolina, devoted to challenges faced by healthcare providers in rural North Carolina communities. Topics included lack of transportation, provider shortages, lack of high-speed internet, and hospital closures.
Source: North Carolina Health News
Last Updated: 11/27/2023