National Rural Health Day
November 21st is National Rural Health Day. Today, we celebrate the incredible healthcare workers who provide care to rural communities but are also reminded of the struggles that rural Illinoisans currently face when it comes to accessing healthcare. In recent years, rural Illinoisans have seen a massive decline in both access to and quality of healthcare services.
According to the National Rural Healthcare Association, the ratio of physicians to patients in rural areas is far below the rate in urban communities. For every 100,000 patients, there are 263 urban doctors and 30 rural doctors, which is an astounding gap in care for rural communities.
The Illinois House Republican Caucus is determined to address this serious issue for rural Illinois residents. State Representative Brad Fritts (R-Dixon), has introduced legislation to combat the lack of physicians in rural communities. HJRCA 15 is a constitutional amendment that would cap malpractice costs for physicians and healthcare professionals in Illinois.
“In my district, we have seen a concerning trend of providers, especially those who provide specialty care, leaving our state in droves,” said Rep. Fritts. “One reason for this is we have no liability cap on malpractice insurance costs that are absolutely unsustainable for providers. This amendment would give the General Assembly the ability to institute a liability cap to bring that cost down and ensure that our providers can actually afford to do their jobs in rural areas.”
State Representative Mike Coffey is a House Sponsor of HJRCA and supports the goal of the legislation.
“It’s vital that rural communities across Illinois have access to healthcare professionals to ensure they have the resources they need to protect their health,” said Rep. Coffey. “Having access to affordable healthcare should not be a burden to families, and this legislation would improve healthcare services, jobs, and the safety of rural Illinoisans”.
While access to rural healthcare in general is a concern, access to specialty care such as mental health, obstetrics and gynecology, and dental care are even more limited. The University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center found that 59% of rural counties do not have a hospital that provides obstetric services. This is especially concerning as a lack of obstetric care can be a major deterrent for new families who may have previously considered moving to rural areas, but instead chose to live closer to care options.
Rep. Fritts continued, “It is unacceptable that we have healthcare deserts in our rural communities. I have constituents who would be required to drive nearly an hour for OBGYN care, which is incredibly dangerous for mothers and deters new families from residing in our community. If we want people and families to stay and grow in the state of Illinois, we should start by increasing access to healthcare.”
National Rural Health Day is a reminder of the need for change when it comes to healthcare access in rural regions of Illinois. Many rural Illinoisans live in healthcare deserts with limited options for medical providers. Not only does this pose a threat to the health and safety of rural residents, but it also deters new residents and families from moving to these communities. Today is also a day to recognize all of the healthcare providers who work in rural regions for their tireless efforts to provide quality care for Illinoisans. Thank you rural healthcare workers for all that you do!