A Message from our CEO on National Rural Health Day
Rural residents are more likely than urban residents to die from heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, and morbid obesity. Deaths of mothers and babies from childbirth are more likely in rural America than in urban settings, and the mothers travel farther to deliver. Children in the rural Ozarks have elevated rates of low birthweight and childhood obesity. Rural patients suffering from depression and other forms of mental illness are less likely to receive treatment. Rural patients travel much farther to access care and have fewer caregivers to see.
That is the dark side reality of rural healthcare. What is the bright side? I like to believe that OCH is a shining example of what can be done in rural healthcare. We focus on delivering excellent primary care where people live. We keep patients out of hospital emergency rooms. Our “satellite” clinics are not designed to funnel patients into hospitals and expensive specialty care. For the most part, rural patients prefer to remain local, and, fortunately, that is the best way to design healthcare for urban and rural. When our patients do need hospital care, we focus on providing the best care we can while recognizing when it is appropriate to transfer a patient to a higher level of care. We thereby reduce the overall cost of care and lessen the burden on specialty care hospitals.
Of course, in a perfect world, OCH would get paid by insurance companies the way we should be paid without spending unnecessary time and money. That perfect world would have some version of affordable healthcare coverage for all Americans accomplished without obscenely profiting middlemen. Despite there being no more perfect days on the horizon, OCH will continue to be a proud provider of healthcare to rural Americans, and we join others in celebrating National Rural Health Day.
Paul Taylor, J.D.
Chief Executive Officer
Ozarks Community Hospital
America Needs Rural Health
Each year, OCH does our part to help amplify awareness on National Rural Health Day. This year, we wanted to go a step further!
Now more than ever, it is important for us to join organizations around the country in advocating for why rural health care is important in America. This is why we have decided to launch our “America Needs Rural Health” campaign.
We are inviting community members to join our providers and staff in rallying together to send a message. The health care needs of the people in our communities matters – now more than ever! Affordable, accessible care is crucial to life in Rural America.
If you would like to join our efforts, check out our America Needs Rural Health merchandise store! You can view the link using the button below. If you choose to support us and purchase an item, please feel free to tag us in a social media post wearing your gear. We’d love to share it!
