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The Bipartisan Policy Center joined the Center for Outcomes Research and Education (CORE) to speak with more than 90 national thought-leaders and stakeholders about the current state of rural health care in the Upper Midwest region, including Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming. These discussions were used to determine the real-world implications of existing federal policies, to understand ongoing care challenges, and to identify opportunities for improvement in rural health care access and delivery.

 

At a public event featuring remarks from Sens. Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND), and Mike Rounds (R-SD), BPC released a paper, Reinventing Rural Health Care: A Case Study of Seven Upper Midwest States, detailing the findings from the outreach efforts.

 

Rural health issues affect more than just the Upper Midwest region and the seven states included in this effort. Furthermore, these issues do not exist in isolation–they are interdependent and build off each other. The nation cannot just fix one part of rural health care; the whole system needs be addressed. BPC’s work identifies four specific areas for developing recommendations:

Rightsize Health Care Services to Fit Community Needs. In order to build tailored delivery services, policies need to be flexible and not just have a “one-size-fits-all” approach.

Create Rural Funding Mechanisms. Policymakers should consider the unique challenges faced in rural areas when developing metrics and funding mechanisms. Rural health systems should work together in order to secure appropriate funding mechanisms and implement innovative models.

Build and Support the Primary Care Physician Workforce. Communities should focus on right-sizing the health care workforce for their needs. Health care administrators are starting to think creatively by employing case managers, community-health workers, and in-home providers to help meet the needs of the community. Policies should support these efforts.

Expand Telemedicine Services. As workforce models change, rural health systems need to equip health professionals with the tools necessary to provide quality care to patients. Telemedicine is a promising way to increase patient access and create a peer network for rural providers.

Read the full report.

Rural health issues are interdependent and build off each other. 

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