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Rural Communities: Cornerstones of Health Reform

Conventional wisdom dictates that rural communities are more conservative and therefore less likely to engage in health reform.

However, Brian Depew and his team at the Center for Rural Affairs have shattered this stereotype. “The notion that rural communities won’t support reform is simply not true,” insists Depew.

“People living in rural areas are keenly aware of the challenges facing our health care system.

"They have higher rates of self- and small business employment, are more likely to live in health professional shortage areas, are older and have higher rates of disability, and are more likely to be dependent on public health care programs.”

In the 15 years it has been advancing health care reform, the Center for Rural Affairs has cultivated relationships with consumer advocacy groups across the Midwest and Great Plains. 

Recently, the Center partnered with the Iowa Citizen Action Network and the Iowa Farmers Union on five town hall meetings across the state, one in each congressional district.

“Policy makers or their staff attended every meeting,” noted Depew, “so rural residents really felt like their stories were being heard.”

The town halls were accompanied by an intensive media campaign; the Center's media director visited 16 media outlets across Iowa over a four-day period to talk about rural health care.

With its home in Lyons, Nebraska (population 963), there is an inherent authenticity surrounding the Center for Rural Affairs.

 However, Depew does not discourage consumer advocacy groups located in more urban areas from organizing in rural communities.

“Be aware that differences exist. Do not ignore these differences, and certainly do not tell people living in rural areas what they need.”

 Rather, Depew recommends enlisting rural-based community groups as allies and cultivating rural media relationships.

He also suggests ensuring that the rural viewpoint is represented on Boards and basing community organizers in rural areas as resources permit.