Introduction
The lack of access to care and inadequate funding for healthcare in underserved and rural communities are among the economic issues I have found in the healthcare field. The problem affects these populations because they often have limited resources and, as a result, must overcome significant barriers to accessing high-quality healthcare.
For instance, low-income individuals may need more insurance coverage, transportation to appointments, and adequate financial resources to pay for care. This issue can result in adverse health outcomes for individuals in these communities, including increased morbidity and mortality rates.
Rationale
The reason for selecting this issue is that access to care is a fundamental human right, and no individual should be denied medical care due to financial constraints or geographic location. Additionally, the issue is frequently disregarded or ignored, especially in rural and marginalized regions. It has a significant influence on community health and the potential to cause substantial disparities in health-related outcomes.
Evidence
Data and research support the existence of this issue. Studies have shown that there are often fewer healthcare professionals in remote areas, leading to long wait times and a shortage of specialty care. Many research and reports, such as the CDC’s Rural Health Report Card, have also shown that people in underserved communities are more likely to have chronic health issues (Yaemsiri et al., 2019). They also experience poorer health outcomes and encounter major obstacles when trying to access high-quality care.
Areas Impacted
This issue particularly affects rural and underserved areas due to their limited access to healthcare services. The challenge of delivering quality healthcare with limited resources impacts the work of medical practitioners in these rural and underserved communities. Healthcare workers in these areas have to deal with a higher workload. These professionals must work under challenging conditions, with limited staff, equipment, and supplies.
Additionally, this problem also impacts the company, as it may lead to poor financial results, an insufficient workforce, and an increased workload for those already on the job. This issue also affects my work as a virtual medical assistant, as I witness patients struggling to access healthcare services.
Causes
The gap contributing to this issue is the lack of funding and resources for underserved and rural communities. These areas are often neglected and receive inadequate attention from policymakers, resulting in the insufficient allocation of resources(Bauerly et al., 2019). Underserved populations may lack access to medical facilities and resources, while rural locations often struggle with staffing shortages due to a lack of funding.
Studies demonstrating lower funding for the healthcare system and significant differences in access to care in rural and underserved areas provide evidence to support this gap. For example, according to a study published in the Journal of Rural Health, the lack of medical professionals in rural areas is a significant obstacle to receiving medical care (Nagata, 2020). According to the survey, patients in rural areas had to drive further to receive medical care, and many had to wait longer for appointments. The study also revealed that increased healthcare expenses resulted from the need for medical professionals in rural areas.
Conclusion
In conclusion, access to care for underserved and rural communities is a critical healthcare economic issue that impacts many people. This issue impacts healthcare professionals, organizations, and the community. The lack of funding and resources for these communities is a significant gap that contributes to this issue. Policymakers should prioritize addressing this gap to ensure all individuals have access to adequate health care.
References
Bauerly, B. C., McCord, R. F., Hulkower, R., & Pepin, D. (2019). Broadband Access as a public health issue: The role of law in expanding broadband access and connecting underserved communities for Better Health Outcomes. Journal of Law, Medicine & Ethics, 47(S2), 39–42.
Nagata, J. M. (2020). Rapid scale‐up of telehealth during the COVID‐19 pandemic and implications for subspecialty care in rural areas. The Journal of Rural Health, 37(1), 145–145.
Yaemsiri, S., Alfier, J. M., Moy, E., Rossen, L. M., Bastian, B., Bolin, J., Ferdinand, A. O., Callaghan, T., & Heron, M. (2019). Healthy people 2020: Rural areas lag in achieving targets for major causes of death. Health Affairs, 38(12), 2027–2031.