Renewing Rural Healthcare

My dad was born in 1935 in a hospital 90 miles from where my grandparents where living, in rural North Dakota. For about $30, my grandma spent 9 days in the hospital before returning home with my dad in her arms.

Unfortunately, little progress has been made to address rural healthcare challenges over the last 90 years. With inflation, today that $30 hospital bill in 1935 would cost approximately $700; whereas, per the Peterson-Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) Health System Tracker, the average cost of giving birth including pregnancy, delivery, and postpartum care, is now around $18,865.

Almost 20% of adults in rural communities do not have any form of health insurance and all must travel long distances for healthcare services. The distances become even longer if there is a need to see a specialist. ??Given these issues, it is not surprising that health in rural communities is reflective of higher rates of cancer, stroke and lower-respiratory disease.? This not only negatively affects the individuals involved but also has economic implications.

This is why I am #KPMGProud to a part of a firm that recognizes the importance of addressing this critical issue. Recently, my colleagues who work with Federal Government clients, published Better Approach to Rural Health, an article on how we can drive opportunities for better health for all Americans.?

More personally, my team was able to work with Chris Marston , Sophie Stern, MPH and Meghan Gleason Hendery to deliver the Reimagining Rural Healthcare hackathon.? During a three-week period, 毕马威 employees were asked to conduct a needs assessment for their selected community and tasked with finding a solution grounded in the selected community’s context and data provided. Our professionals identified a plethora of solutions to the problem, from proactively lowering disease rates by providing access to fresh and healthy foods where access is limited, to expanding the healthcare workforce serving rural populations.

Presently, my dad resides in his suburban Ohio community. Fortunately, at the age of 88, he is healthy with access to resources he needs to maintain his well-being. The challenge now is how can we enable others to enjoy good health well into their 80s without a need to leave their rural homes.? In addressing this challenge, I hope we collectively look at what the data say and take appropriate action.