| November 17, 2011 | For More Information Contact: Andy Van Pelt 503-479-6018 |
Governor Kitzhaber Declares November 17 Rural Health Day in Oregon
Lake Oswego, Ore. (November 17, 2011) --- The Oregon Association of Hospitals and Health Systems (OAHHS) and the Oregon office or Rural Health (ORH) are helping Oregon’s small and rural hospitals celebrate Rural Health Day in Oregon.
Governor John Kitzhaber declared today, November 17, National Rural Health Day. The official proclamation states: "Meeting the unique health care needs of those citizens [in rural areas] is constantly evolving, as rural communities face accessibility issues, a lack of health care providers, and an aging population suffering from a greater number of chronic conditions, and larger percentages of uninsured and underinsured citizens. Being a rural health care provider provides tremendous opportunities to provide more comprehensive, compassionate, patient-centered and holistic care to patients."
More than half of Oregon’s hospitals are in rural communities. In 2010 alone, rural hospitals saw 310,000 patients in their emergency rooms, hosted more than 2 million inpatient and outpatient stays, and employed more than 13,000 health care professionals.
Today more than ever, rural communities must address accessibility issues, a lack of health care providers, the needs of an aging population suffering from a greater number of chronic conditions, and larger percentages of un- and underinsured citizens. And rural hospitals – which are often the economic foundation of their communities in addition to being the primary providers of care – struggle daily as declining reimbursement rates and disproportionate funding levels make it challenging to serve their residents. More than one third of the state’s 3.86 million people live in our rural communities.
National Rural Hospital Statistics
- Rural hospitals are sources of innovation and resourcefulness that reach beyond geographical boundaries to deliver quality care. They are also typically the economic foundation of their communities – every dollar spent on rural hospitals generates about $2.20 for the local economy.
- Twelve percent of rural hospitals indicate they are not considering HIT investments because of cost concerns compared to 3 percent of urban hospitals.
- Critical Access Hospitals care for a higher percentage of Medicare patients than other hospitals because rural populations are typically older than urban populations.
As we celebrate National Rural Health Day, please take the time to thank and acknowledge all those who provide health care to our rural communities, 24/7/365. We must remember that the care provided in rural Oregon affects us all. Help us recognize those who help keep Oregon healthy. For more information, go online to http://celebratepowerofrural.org .
About OAHHS: Founded in 1934, OAHHS is a statewide, nonprofit trade association that works closely with local and national government leaders, business and citizen coalitions, and other professional health care organizations to enhance and promote community health and to continue improving Oregon’s innovative health care delivery system.
About ORH: The mission of the Oregon Office of Rural Health (ORH) is to improve the quality, availability, and accessibility of health care for rural Oregonians.
The Office partnered with Oregon Health & Science University in 1989 to increase its ability to bring statewide resources to rural areas. The office engages in four principal activities: Planning, Policy Development and Advocacy; Information Clearinghouse; Provider Recruitment and Retention; and Technical Assistance to Communities. For more information, go online http://www.ohsu.edu/orh
Building 2, Suite 100
Lake Oswego, Oregon 97035
503-636-2204 | Fax: 503-636-8310
info@oahhs.org
Copyright © 2009 Oregon Association of Hospitals and Health Systems. All rights reserved.