How Do Rural People Get Health Care?

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), passed in March 2010, is expected to reach over 30 million Americans who are not currently covered by insurance and are therefore experiencing difficulty in obtaining medical care. There are several factors contributing to the decline of access to medical services in rural areas. As the economy shifts to a more industrialized and technology-based environment, business is moving to the cities, whereas the rural areas are dwindling in population. These small communities used to thrive decades ago when people owned large plots of land and were able to depend on their own resources; now that most people depend on outside commerce, they have moved to the cities for basic needs such as groceries, schooling, and health care.

The PPACA sets out to solve this problem by providing financial incentives for health professionals to work in rural areas. There are grants for offices that open up in areas with medical shortages as well as recruiting programs for health care professionals. The PPACA will also help to fund the rural emergency response teams that might be facing budget shortfalls. By encouraging health professionals to move and maintain their businesses, access to health care is expected to improve in rural areas.

One question that some people might wonder upon learning about medical shortages in rural areas is this: How do rural people get health care in the first place? One way that they have been able to do so for quite some time is through the help of technology; online doctors (Telemedicine) and pharmacies with an online prescription which have been around for decades to consult with patients and provide online prescription services for limited (acute simple medical conditions) care for those patients who live miles away from the nearest clinic, hospital, or pharmacy. Those who are on multiple prescriptions will also find online doctors beneficial, as these pharmacies operate just as a brick-and-mortar pharmacy would do. The advantage is that these stores are typically cheaper since they don't have the overhead of a storefront; of course, the added advantage is that patients can have their online prescriptions filled from the privacy of their own home.

On the other hand, of course, not all the rural populations's medical needs can be addressed with the internet's help. Home health is one issue; some patients might need the constant care of a nurse in order to accomplish basic daily activities. The disabled might not be able to access this type of medical care if they are miles away from the nearest town. First responders also face a challenge in reaching out to places such as this; when inclement weather kicks in, the response time can be multiplied several times over.

Overall, access to health care should improve in rural areas as a result of the health reform measures outlined in the PPACA; with funding and incentives for those who practice in rural areas, this segment of the health care field is expected to grow. Combined with the ability to consult an online doctor and receive a prescription online in rural areas already, rural populations should expect a marked increase in quality of medical care over the next few years.

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WARNING: Limitations of Online Doctor/Medical Consultations and Online Prescriptions, QuickRxRefills cannot Prescribe, Dispense, or Resell any and all Narcotics/Controlled Substances (this policy is fully enforced by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)) for Pain, Anxiety, Weightloss, Sleep, ADHD/ADD including non-controlled substances or any medications that are considered controversial or recalled in nature such (i.e. Retin-A, Accutane). Furthermore, QuickRxRefills is not a substitute for an office based physician in your location nor is it a substitute for Emergency Medical Care or 911. If you do experience a "true" medical emergency your are encouraged to pick up the phone and dial 911 as soon as possible.