First-ever Rural Health Model Summit looks for innovative ways to improve access to care
Harrisburg, PA – The Wolf Administration held the first-ever Rural Health Model Summit today, bringing together rural hospitals, state agencies and federal partners to find innovative ways improve healthcare in rural areas.
Under the Wolf Administration, the department has worked to ensure that health care services match the needs of the community, which includes assisting rural hospitals in achieving financial sustainability. The Rural Health Model focuses on integrated, value-based care through an all-payer global budget model.
Discussions during the summit focused on the opportunities and resources available to hospitals participating in this initiative, such as different forms of technical assistance, grants, and funding resources. A wide variety of national rural health experts also shared their expertise.
“One out of every four Pennsylvanians lives in a rural area, where they often struggle with poor health outcomes like obesity, heart disease and opioid-use disorder,” Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine said. “Providing quality health care to residents living in rural communities has been one of the main priorities of the department under Governor Tom Wolf, especially when it comes to preserving rural hospitals. Rural hospitals are essential members of our communities, and their success impacts the lives of every Pennsylvanian.”
One of the more serious health concerns of rural Pennsylvania is one that is an issue across the state, the opioid crisis. Prescription opioid use is a major health concern for rural residents. The department has been working with health care providers to educate them on the importance of using opioids judiciously and following the prescribing guidelines developed by the Safe and Effective Prescribing Guidelines Task Force.
The Department of Health has developed three main strategies for improving health in rural communities. Strategies being carried out include: transforming health care delivery in rural communities; improving the population health status in rural communities; and creating health care services that match the needs of the community.
For more information about rural health, visit the Department of Health website at www.health.pa.gov or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
MEDIA CONTACT: Nate Wardle, Department of Health, 717-787-1783 or ra-dhpressoffice@pa.gov.
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