Bill Overview
Title: Improving Access to Health Care in Rural and Underserved Areas Act
Description: This bill directs the Health Resources and Services Administration to award up to 100 grants for federally qualified health centers or rural health clinics to provide accredited continuing medical education to their primary care providers.
Sponsors: Rep. Lee, Susie [D-NV-3]
Target Audience
Population: People in rural and underserved areas globally
Estimated Size: 60000000
- The bill targets health centers and clinics specifically in rural and underserved areas.
- Health care providers in these areas will receive continuing medical education, which aims to improve the quality of care they provide.
- The primary beneficiaries are likely the residents of the rural and underserved areas, who rely on these health centers for primary care.
- Access to better educated and trained health care providers will improve the overall health outcomes for these populations.
- Rural and underserved areas often lack sufficient health care resources, so improvements in service quality can have a significant positive impact.
- Globally, rural and underserved populations make up about 18% of the world's population, according to World Bank data.
Reasoning
- This policy targets health centers and clinics in rural and underserved areas. The impact is presumed to be highest for residents and healthcare providers in these areas due to improved medical education for providers, resulting in better healthcare services.
- The population includes a broad array of individuals, such as healthcare providers who may have indirect benefits from the policy via education, and the local residents directly benefiting from better healthcare.
- A limitation to consider is the budget which restricts the number of programs and geographic reach of the policy implementation. As such, the policy impact is likely concentrated in areas most underserved.
- Include people who are not impacted significantly by the policy to add depth and contrast.
Simulated Interviews
primary school teacher (rural Iowa)
Age: 46 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I have to drive over an hour for some specialist appointments, so any improvement to local healthcare quality is welcome.
- I think better training for our local healthcare providers will help in receiving better and quicker treatment.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
software engineer (urban New York City)
Age: 34 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm not sure this affects me since I get my health care through my company.
- It's good for rural areas, but personally, I wouldn't feel any difference.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
retired farmer (rural Alabama)
Age: 62 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I’ve had difficulties getting timely care in the past, especially when it comes to specialists.
- I hope this means I can get better advice and quicker treatment without traveling too far.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
nurse at a rural health clinic (suburban Texas)
Age: 25 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Continuous education will help me stay updated with medical practices which are crucial for serving rural communities effectively.
- I'm excited about the increased learning opportunities directly in our clinic.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 10 | 7 |
freelance writer (rural New Mexico)
Age: 29 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think improving our local health services is vital to maintaining our community’s well-being.
- Better trained doctors will make me feel more secure about my healthcare.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
small business owner (suburban Florida)
Age: 55 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 9
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's a good initiative for rural areas but will likely have no direct effect on me or my family’s health care.
- I think the educational aspect is wise to improve healthcare services.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 9 |
stay-at-home parent (Appalachian region, Kentucky)
Age: 38 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- My child needs specialist attention quite often, and improvements in local health care would significantly ease our worries.
- Having better trained local healthcare providers will allow for continuity in care for my child.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
rancher (rural Montana)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I don't go to the doctor much, but when I do, I want to make sure they know what they're doing.
- If it means fewer trips to the city for specialty care, that's a win.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
corporate lawyer (urban Chicago)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think such policies are important but don't directly impact our family's healthcare routine personally.
- Understanding our visit to spouse's family might feel more secure knowing better healthcare is available locally there.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
retired nurse (rural Wyoming)
Age: 67 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Expanded education for healthcare workers in our center means a lot especially for tackling tougher cases locally.
- I can see better quality care leading to better community health overall.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $120000000 (Low: $100000000, High: $150000000)
Year 2: $123000000 (Low: $103000000, High: $153000000)
Year 3: $126000000 (Low: $106000000, High: $156000000)
Year 5: $131000000 (Low: $111000000, High: $161000000)
Year 10: $142000000 (Low: $122000000, High: $172000000)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- The effectiveness of continuing medical education in improving healthcare outcomes depends significantly on the quality of the education provided and the commitment of the healthcare providers.
- Implementation logistics, such as timely grant distribution and evaluation mechanisms, can impact the policy's success.
- Potential resistance or adaptation challenges among healthcare providers to new educational practices.