Living in a rural community should not have to come with a hefty price tag for health care.
The Affordable Care Act is already making a difference in the lives of millions of rural Americans, including families right here in Maine. Before the ACA, many rural families had a difficult time finding affordable insurance coverage, paying an average of nearly half of their costs out of their own pockets.
Today, thanks to the ACA, families in Maine can choose from a variety of affordable insurance plans, and many will qualify for financial assistance to help them pay for coverage. To sign up, Maine residents can visit healthcare.gov or call 1-800-318-2596 if they need help.
In addition to providing affordable health insurance options for rural families, the ACA also does things to address the underlying challenges of staying healthy in rural America. Insurance companies are forbidden from denying you coverage if you have a pre-existing condition, and they are required to cover preventive care. That’s good news for rural Americans who, on average, suffer from higher rates of chronic conditions like diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure than those living in urban areas.
It also expands support for the National Health Service Corps, which offers scholarships and loan repayment to doctors and nurses in return for practicing in rural communities. More than 3,500 corps members serve in rural areas, and an average of 86 percent of them will remain in their communities even after completing their service. These investments help keep a steady stream of young, motivated doctors and nurses in rural America. That’s a good thing because while one in five Americans lives in a rural community, just 10 percent of doctors practice there.
The ACA also invests significantly in expanding services at community health centers, where 7.5 million rural Americans get access to primary and preventive care. That comes on top of the more than $3 billion U.S. Department of Agriculture has invested since 2009 to strengthen health infrastructure in rural areas, build rural hospitals and health clinics and expand access to health care in remote areas through telemedicine.
A few weeks ago, we announced an additional $51,920 in Maine for rural health care and distance learning. Home-Health Visiting Nurses of Southern Maine received a grant in the amount of $51,920 to provide health care for rural residents in 36 towns in the Cumberland County area. Funds will assist seniors with chronic diseases and medically fragile children.
The Affordable Care Act gives hardworking rural families in Maine the financial security and peace of mind they deserve. It makes rural communities stronger and rural families healthier.
Virginia Manuel is the USDA Rural Development state director for Maine.