The Future of Rural Health: Framing a Community-Policy Focus

Thank you. It is an honor to be here and asked to share some thoughts on the future of rural health and rural health policy. The future of rural health – that has a daunting and imposing sound to it. I am a little too much of a rural North Dakota farm boy – even after all these years – to think to myself or to imply to you that I have the answers to what the future will be or even should be. However, I do want this presentation to challenge our thinking including my thinking. I have personally been involved in rural health for over 22 years and after all those years I am still positively challenged by our opportunities. Notice I said opportunities not problems. I was told years and years ago by Dr. Kevin Fickenscher, the first director of the UND Center for Rural Health, that the Chinese use the same symbol for opportunity that is used for crisis. Thus, in that culture crisis and opportunity appear to be synonymous. This is how I have approached rural health over the years. Problems, issues, challenges – yes, certainly. But, opportunity always. Hopefully, you feel the same way. Rural North Dakota, rural Minnesota, rural Montana – this is worth fighting for. Our friends and families in Cando, or Jordan, or Bigfork (I’ve been to Bigfork by the way) live there and in hundreds of other small, rural communities because they find something they want – safe streets, good schools, spiritual enrichment, clean environment. They also want and seek access to available, quality health services. This is where advocates such as you come into play -helping and assisting rural citizens to achieve a level of health and a measure of quality along with an assurance that health care is and remains available. This they deserve.