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Rural Health Information Hub

Healthcare Access in Rural Communities – Resources

Selected recent or important resources focusing on Healthcare Access in Rural Communities.

Health Care Access Among Self-Employed Workers in Nonmetropolitan Counties
Report examining access to healthcare for self-employed workers, their families, and their households in rural areas, focusing on availability and affordability. Covers health insurance coverage and affordability, availability of healthcare services, and changes in work, income, health status, and healthcare access in 2020.
Author(s): Elizabeth A. Dobis, Jessica E. Todd
Date: 05/2022
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: USDA Economic Research Service
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State Medicaid Managed Care and Access to Rural Behavioral Health Services
Details how states with Medicaid managed care organizations (MCOs) are using MCO contract language to increase access to behavioral healthcare through service access requirements, provider network requirements, and telehealth utilization policies. Includes links to available MCO contracts and requests for applications.
Author(s): Eliza Mette, Jodi Manz
Date: 05/2022
Type: Website
Sponsoring organization: National Academy for State Health Policy
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Rural Patient Experiences of Accessing Care for Chronic Conditions: A Systematic Review and Thematic Synthesis of Qualitative Studies
Investigates rural patient experiences related to accessing healthcare for the purpose of chronic disease management. Analyzes 62 studies from 2010-2019 with a total of 1,354 participants experiencing chronic health issues. Discusses themes of navigating the rural environment and its cultural expectations, navigating the healthcare system, and financing healthcare.
Author(s): Elizabeth H. Golembiewski, Derek L. Gravholt, Victor D. Torres Roldan, et al.
Citation: The Annals of Family Medicine, 20(3), 266-272
Date: 05/2022
Type: Document
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Travel Burden for Healthcare among Rural Populations with Marvellous Akinlotan and Alva Ferdinand
An episode of the Exploring Rural Health podcast featuring Dr. Alva Ferdinand, director of the Southwest Rural Health Research Center (SRHRC), and Dr. Marvellous Akinlotan, research assistant professor at the SRHRC. Discusses travel burdens rural residents face when seeking healthcare.
Date: 05/2022
Type: Audio
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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The Justice Gap: The Unmet Civil Legal Needs of Low-Income Americans
Reports on civil legal needs experienced by low-income Americans who do not seek professional legal help and the paths they take when facing civil legal problems. Includes information on legal needs related to healthcare access and other issues that impact health, such as housing and COVID-19. Provides details for specific groups, including rural residents, seniors, veterans, people with disabilities, parents of children under 18, and domestic violence survivors.
Additional links: Executive Summary, Full Report, Special Focus Rural
Date: 04/2022
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Legal Services Corporation
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CMS Framework for Health Equity 2022–2032
Report outlines the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services plan for improving health equity across the U.S. for racial and ethnic communities, rural communities, people with disabilities, and those living in poverty. Details a 5 priority framework emphasizing data collections and standardization; language access and health literacy; and reducing health disparities through increasing healthcare capacity and workforce, among others.
Date: 04/2022
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
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Health Panel Comment Letter – Access to Coverage and Care in Medicaid & CHIP
Offers comments in response to the Access to Coverage and Care in Medicaid and CHIP Request for Information. Discusses ways the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) can support states in addressing barriers to enrollment and retention, minimum access standards, and monitoring care availability and access to care.
Date: 04/2022
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Rural Policy Research Institute Rural Health Panel
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Partnering for Rural Transportation with Alisa Druzba and Steve Workman
An episode of the Exploring Rural Health podcast featuring Alisa Druzba and Steve Workman. Describes the development of the New Hampshire Mobility Management Network and how it provides options for rural residents. Focuses on the role of collaboration among local, state, and federal agencies in supporting long-term sustainability for transportation services.
Date: 04/2022
Type: Audio
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Public Transportation's Role in Rural Healthcare Access with Carol Wright Kenderdine
An episode of the Exploring Rural Health podcast featuring Carol Wright Kenderdine. Discusses transportation needs and challenges faced by rural older adults and people with disabilities. Explains the role of rural public transit agencies, national resources available to support transit, and how COVID-19 has spurred innovation in rural transportation.
Date: 03/2022
Type: Audio
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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How States Can Expand Health Care Access in Rural Communities
Discusses policy options states could use to increase access to care and the supply of healthcare providers in rural areas. Covers financial assistance programs for medical and dental education; malpractice reform; scope of practice changes for advanced practice registered nurses, physician assistants, and dental health aide therapists; telemedicine parity; and mobile clinics.
Date: 02/2022
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Center for American Progress
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Last Updated: 6/13/2024