As I watched the Super Bowl this year the one commercial that resonated with me was the commercial from Chrysler that highlighted the importance of America’s farmers. Our rural communities provide the food supply for our country and nearly 40% of our armed forces are served by men and women from rural communities. Yet only 2% of the total Medicare budget is spent on the Critical Access Hospitals. Colorado communities represent 31.6 million acres of farmland across the state, $7 billion annually is contributed to the state’s economy through agriculture, and maintains over 105,000 jobs (Ag in the Classroom, 2010).
Sequestration now seems on the verge of reality and if this is true Colorado’s rural communities will certainly suffer as a result. Recent data shows that rural cuts will force hospitals to close. More importantly rural cuts will not save money, in fact, rural patients cost less to treat by approximately $400 per beneficiary than urban beneficiaries each year according to NRHA. During the NRHA Policy Institute the USDA Secretary and White House Rural Council chair Tom Vilsack stated that “Rural America matters. And for far too long rural issues have not received the attention they deserve.” Senators Moran (R-KS) and Klobuchar (D-MN) heard the concerns from rural communities and have introduced S.R. 26, which calls on the US Senate to recognize five key findings:
- Access to rural hospitals and providers for rural patients is essential to the survival and success of rural communities
- Preserving and strengthening access to quality health care in rural areas is crucial to the success and prosperity of the nation
- Strengthening access to care for rural hospitals and other rural providers is cost-effective and improves health outcomes for rural patients
- Rural health providers provide vital care to patients and are an integral part of the local rural economy and are one of the largest employers in rural areas
- Rural health providers provide quality care for 20% of the population and help preserve communities cherished by rural patients across the nation
While we all must face the reality of changes in the healthcare environment, our communities are embracing these changes and creating innovative solutions that are in alignment with national trends and local needs.
Over the last three years CRHC has implemented a healthy clinic assessment, a tool created by RT Welter & Associates, Inc., with rural health clinics (RHCs) across rural Colorado. Of our 53 RHCs, 72% have received this assessment and are actively working on strengthening the foundation of primary care through quality systems and process improvement. Additionally, our rural communities are on the road to improving health system performance through implementation of electronic medical records and rural Colorado has been highlighted nationally for our efforts.
I urge you to remember that despite the challenges you face with geography, higher poverty, higher percentages of elderly, a shortage of healthcare providers, fewer insurance carriers, and increased insurance costs, you are succeeding! Please take the time to share these successes, along with the challenges with your local legislative representatives.
