Many Rural Americans Struggle To Afford Health Care, Poll Finds
U.S. News & World Report (May 21, Galvin) states a new “poll of about 1,400 rural adults” found that “about 1 in 3 rural Americans say they’ve struggled to afford health care in recent years,” this implies more “than the share who have had trouble paying for food or housing.” In total, “about 4 in 10 rural adults have struggled to afford medical bills, housing or food in recent years.” In addition, about 1 in 4 rural adults “have skipped health care at some point because they lacked either financial or physical access to care”. The article also added common reasons for such deprivation. Namely, affordability, a health care provider being too far away or difficult to get to, not being able to get an appointment during certain hours and not being able to find a doctor who took their health insurance, which the survey found. Indeed showing rural Americans’ struggle to afford Health Care.
Separately, Reuters (May 20, Carroll) reports that “until broadband access improves, telemedicine won’t help rural communities”. Furthermore, the article explains that “the same places where residents must drive many miles to see a physician often also have limited broadband access, a new study suggests”. Lastly, the study can be found online in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
Dentists can refer patients to MouthHealthy.org, ADA’s consumer website, for a guide to finding and paying for dental care.
Article from: ADA Morning Huddle
Lorin Berland, DDS