Bridging the Rural Health Divide: The Importance of Investing in Rural Healthcare Now

Liz Urbanski-Farrell, the new executive director of the New York State Association for Rural Health, has spent her career working to improve health outcomes for people living in rural areas both in the United States and abroad. In her role, she highlighted the challenges faced by rural residents when it comes to accessing healthcare.

One of the biggest obstacles is the distance they have to travel to reach healthcare facilities. Even if they are willing to make the trip, they often have to take time off work and incur transportation costs, which can be a significant burden. While telehealth has offered some solutions, it also comes with its own set of challenges such as higher costs due to infrastructure and privacy requirements. Additionally, traditional health services in New York have not seen increased funding in recent years.

Urbanski-Farrell emphasized that increased funding from the Legislature and Congress is crucial for improving rural healthcare. She pointed out that investing in rural healthcare now will lead to cost savings in the future. By addressing the unique challenges faced by rural communities, we can improve health outcomes and overall well-being for those living in these areas.