As one of the millions of Americans proud to have roots in rural America, it saddens me to see hometowns like my own include many individuals facing health care challenges that are just as prevalent today as they were decades ago. Countless years of partisan squabbling in Washington have done little to adequately address these health care issues that need fixing. As the pressure mounts in an economy where rural Americans are seeing less in their savings and more in price hikes, the barriers they face to care only grow larger.
A recent Morning Consult survey of over 1000 rural voters highlighted their unique barriers to care and understandable frustration with lawmakers. For example, half of the rural voters have been surprised at the out-of-pocket costs they are expected to pay for care even though they have insurance. Paying more for medicines, for many Americans, can be the difference between renewing a medication or putting food on the table. Beyond their immediate financial impact, these devastating decisions deter patients from continuing their treatment plans or seeking future medical care. One in three rural voters cited high costs as their reason for avoiding the doctor’s office.
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