Healthcare Access in Rural Communities – News
News stories from the past 60 days.
May 29, 2024 - Explores a variety of initiatives and policies working to improve cardiac health in rural Kentucky, including a hospital network working to improve access to cardiac care through telehealth and assistance with physician recruitment. Also highlights a program that allows hospitals to achieve various certifications based on the quality of heart-related care.
Source: American Heart Association
May 24, 2024 - Describes the launch of an HPV testing program and anticipated impacts on rural Alaskans. Highlights the relationship between HPV and cervical cancer, and high rates of cervical cancer among Alaska Native and American Indian women. Discusses how self-collecting for HPV tests can decrease barriers for rural populations.
Source: Alaska Public Media, PBS, NPR
May 17, 2024 - An analysis by the Georgetown University Center for Children and Families showed that Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, New Hampshire, South Dakota, and Utah had fewer children enrolled in Medicaid at the end 2023 than before the pandemic. States with the largest drops in coverage have large rural areas, where clinician shortages, long drives to care, and poorer health outcomes are common.
Source: Stateline
May 16, 2024 - The Senate Finance Committee heard from hospital leaders and healthcare experts, with the goal of finding ways to help rural hospitals find funding to stay open. Senator Ron Wyden and others said the issue is complicated and requires a multi-pronged approach. Discussion included the need for maternity care in rural hospitals.
Source: Oregon Capital Chronicle
May 15, 2024 - The Maternal Mental Health Task Force, formed in September by the Office on Women's Health and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, has recommended creating maternity care centers providing integrated care and birthing facilities. The maternal mental health crisis is particularly pronounced in rural communities that are maternity care deserts.
Source: NBC News
May 15, 2024 - Senators Jerry Moran of Kansas and Tina Smith of Minnesota introduced the Rural Emergency Hospital Improvement Act, which would expand access to federal resources for rural hospitals. The legislation would increase opportunities for Critical Access Hospitals and rural hospitals to convert to Rural Emergency Hospital status.
Source: Office of Senator Jerry Moran
May 14, 2024 - Georgia first lady Marty Kemp is promoting the 988 hotline and addressing the stigma sometimes associated with seeking mental healthcare. She participated in a panel discussion on the 988 suicide and crisis lifeline at the Rosalynn Carter Georgia Mental Health Forum in Atlanta.
Source: Georgia Recorder
May 14, 2024 - Describes the Home Telehealth Program at South Texas Veterans Health Care System, which works to provide care to veterans living in rural parts of the area.
Source: VA News
May 14, 2024 - The Ways and Means Committee of the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community in Arizona heard testimony about concerns of Native American communities, and reaffirmed a commitment to help tribal and rural communities prosper. Topics included lack of access to healthcare, and the need for adopted children to maintain connections to their cultural heritage
Source: House Ways and Means Committee
May 14, 2024 - Profiles an independent pharmacy in Lillington, North Carolina, where pharmacists guide women through the process of understanding what contraceptives are available. North Carolina health leaders are promoting the ongoing expansion of reproductive medicine across the state.
Source: Spectrum News 1
Last Updated: 5/29/2024