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January jobs report: Unemployment rate falls to 4%, wages rise more than forecast; Trump signs order imposing sanctions on International Criminal Court over investigations of Israel; Ten Commandments in public schools debate reaches South Dakota; Virginia ranks among worst states for wage theft; Mexican long-nosed bat makes appearance in Arizona.

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Attorney General Pam Bondi strikes a Trump tone at the Justice Department, federal workers get more time to consider buyouts, and an unclassified email request from the White House worries CIA vets.

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During Black History Month, a new book shares how a unique partnership built 5,000 schools for Black students, anti-hunger advocates say ag communities would benefit from an expanded SNAP program, and Americans have $90 billion in unpaid medical bills.

Report: Rural Missouri needs more health care attention, investment

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Friday, December 15, 2023   

About one-third of Missouri is considered rural, and people who live there often have health challenges. The latest research suggested overlooking rural areas has major consequences.

A new report from the Missouri Rural Health Association outlined the need for continued investment in rural Missouri.

Katie Reichard, director of government affairs for the Missouri Primary Care Association, said many factors contribute to worse health outcomes in rural communities but access to care is at the top of the list. Community health centers help close the gap, seeing patients no matter their ability to pay, and helping those who might otherwise end up at hospitals for nonemergency needs.

"You don't have to go to the hospital for a toothache or strep throat; a community health center can provide those services to you, "Reichard explained. "It's on a sliding fee scale and so, it's income-based. Also, they cover behavioral health services, a lot of them cover women's health services, and all of them cover primary care and dental."

According to the report, for the first time ever, Missouri recorded more deaths than births during the pandemic. It caused a 19% increase in deaths for Missourians overall, and decreased overall life expectancy by more than two years.

Heidi Lucas, executive director of the Missouri Rural Health Association, thinks investing in rural areas of the state is imperative not only for Missouri, but for the nation.

"Rural Missouri is America's breadbasket," Lucas pointed out. "We have some of the highest producers of grain and cattle in the entire country, so we really need to take care of folks who are living in rural Missouri, because they are providing for America, widely."

Missouri is home to more than 95,000 farms, the second-highest number in the U.S. It's also the second-largest producer of hay and is second-highest in the nation for beef, with more than 2 million head of cattle.

Lucas added while the report identifies areas of concern, there are many solutions.

"Upping broadband to have more telehealth services; reducing restrictions on providers so that they're able to provide more widely to the full extent of their education and training; finding preceptors for nurses or physicians; getting transportation taken care of, to get there," Lucas outlined.

Lack of affordable health care affects more than farmers' personal health, according to a Missouri Rural Crisis Center report. It also causes financial strain and delays in farm investments.

Disclosure: The Missouri Primary Care Association contributes to our fund for reporting on Budget Policy & Priorities, Health Issues, Housing/Homelessness, and Poverty Issues. If you would like to help support news in the public interest, click here.


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