In a recent report by the Center for Disease Control, researchers found that obesity remains to be higher among rural adults compared to their urban counterparts. 34.2% of adults in rural areas are considered obese and only 28.7% are considered obese in metropolitan areas. Low...
Fulfilling a provision set by the 2016 Consolidated Appropriations Act, the GAO has reviewed the Choice Program and found that the program is producing extended wait times for veterans, despite being originally developed to expedite care when it is not more immediately available through the...
A new study published in the Annals of Emergency Medicine shows a marked difference in emergency care staffing in rural areas as opposed to urban areas. This research shows the physician shortage has made a strong impact on rural emergency care. [button link="https://www.annemergmed.com/article/S0196-0644(18)30267-1/pdf" text="Read More"]...
The FCC voted to increase the funding cap for the Rural Healthcare Program. The program recently came under fire for not fulfilling funding commitments made to service providers and rural hospitals. Earlier this year, the Commission sought input on proposed rulemaking which would increase the...
The USDA Economic Research Service updated data on their Atlas of Rural and Small Town America to include population data from 2016-2017. The data shows, generally, a decrease in rural areas and increase in urban areas. The map also includes population comparisons to 2010, unemployment...
Sen. Doug Jones (D-AL) introduced Senate Bill 2894 in an attempt to create within the Department of Agriculture the position of a Rural Health Liaison. The Liaison would be consulted by the Secretary of Health and Human Services to coordinate the Department of Agriculture’s response...
The President signed the VA Mission Act which extends funding of the Veterans Choice Program for one year and spurs reforms in the veterans health care system which will further allow veterans to seek care in the community by improving Veterans Affairs coordination with community...
Medicaid work requirements have now been implemented in a number of states to increase restrictions on access to Medicaid. While 24 percent of rural kids live in poverty, nineteen percent of urban kids live in poverty. These additional restrictions are disproportionately harming those in rural...
Service providers in Alaska are speaking out on their experience with the FCC cutting funding to the Rural Health Care program which previously promised service providers and hospitals funds to greatly decrease the financial burden of expanding telecommunications in the rural health setting. [button link="http://www.alaskajournal.com/2018-05-30/fcc-funding-shortfall-spurs-rural-rate-review#.WxBpTUgvxPZ" text="Read...
The Guardian profiled rural communities on the inner banks of North Carolina where a local hospital closure has led to a lack of proper care in the community despite the opening of a 24-hour clinic. "'Pretty bad,' he shot back when I asked him how things...