Health care reform roared onto the national agenda in 2009. Concerned about the affordability and access to health care for small businesses, farmers and ranchers and rural people, the Center advocated ensuring that any health care reform passed by Congress addressed rural issues. Through analysis, media and grassroots organizing, we quickly became the leading rural voice in the health care debate.

Our work on health care reform filled a vacuum that existed in the national debate. Rural people and communities have unique challenges that often are not recognized by those in Washington. Our efforts brought the issues of 60 million people who call rural America home to the attention of policymakers and the national media. In so doing, we helped shape the reform proposals so that they will work better for rural people.

Through a series of eight reports we highlighted rural issues in health insurance affordability, access to primary care in our communities and barriers to effective wellness and prevention in rural America. We released two of our reports in Washington – one at a meeting organized by the White House and a second before a Congressional briefing on rural health care.

With solid analysis as a basis, Center staff and supporters were a clear voice for the need to make the health care system work for rural people in the media throughout the Midwest and Plains and across the country. National Public Radio, Reuters and Clear Channel Radio all highlighted rural health care issues and featured our work. Our media efforts took us on the road and media staff visited Montana, Wisconsin, Iowa and many places between.

We held more than 25 meetings in communities in six states, talking with many of you about health care challenges in your community and providing trainings on engaging in the policy process. For the first time ever, we hired staff in Montana to expand our reach.

Many of you attended meetings with your representative, wrote letters and made phone calls. Nine supporters took the next step and traveled with us to Washington to talk directly with elected officials there.

Our efforts on health care reform over the last year represent the values that guide all of the work at the Center for Rural Affairs. This includes a sense of the common good and fairness that will allow rural people to participate in a fair economy that creates prosperity for all. In order to build a sustainable rural economy based on entrepreneurship and opportunity, reforms to the current health care system are absolutely necessary.

This work will continue in the coming year as the national debate progresses. If health care reform is passed by Congress and becomes law, the Center will advocate with administrative officials to make sure new provisions are implemented in ways that work well for rural communities.

For more information: Contact Brian Depew, Assistant Director, briand@cfra.org 402.687.2103 x 1015; or Jon Bailey, Research & Analysis Program Director, jonb@cfra.org or 402.687.2103 x 1013.