We at MRA believe that rural Americans should not be deprived of adequate health care because they live in non-urban areas. For many, under-insurance is as much a crisis as no insurance at all. MRA supports initiatives that offer all Americans access to affordable health care.
The health of almost one in three adults in rural America is only poor to fair, and nearly half suffer from at least one major chronic illness. Yet, rural Americans average fewer physician contacts per year compared with those living in urban communities.
Traumatic injuries are also more common in rural areas, whose residents also face worse outcomes and higher risks of death than urban patients. This is due, in part, to transportation problems and the lack of advanced life-support training in rural areas.
Economic pressures forced many rural hospitals to transfer services to outpatient care only. Technological advances, including telemedicine, offer the promise of improved access to quality care in rural communities. Creativity also is necessary to attract and retain primary care providers in rural areas.
MRA is committed to helping improve health care for rural residents. One way we will do this is to seek information about innovative ways to offer and finance essential health services. We pledge to use our various communications networks to get crucial information to you, and we also will be your advocates here in Washington , focusing on issues affecting rural America.
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