Skip to main content
Rural Health Information Hub
Rural Health Information Hub

The Rural Monitor
Articles by Topic: Rural Health Clinics

Rural Health Clinic Program at 45 Years: Created for Access and Still Delivering Care

October 26, 2022
After a 1965 public law created the Medicare and Medicaid programs, many rural residents insured by these government health programs were unable to access care. This challenge was remedied by another public law: the Rural Health Clinic Services Act of 1977. Using a historical framework, rural health policy experts, researchers, and clinicians reviewed the Act's impact on outpatient healthcare delivery in rural America.

A Career of Influencing Rural Healthcare Delivery: Bill Finerfrock and the NARHC Origin Story

October 26, 2022
Over 5,200 rural organizations participate in the Rural Health Clinics program, a reimbursement model dedicated to rural low-volume healthcare delivery and now in its 45th year. The National Association of Rural Health Clinics — in its 30th year — is a membership organization that emerged as the program increased its participants. Bill Finerfrock, association cofounder and its recently retired executive director, shared the group's origin story as well as touchpoints from his own career.

Burnout: Measurement Tool(s), Cause(s) and Impact(s)

January 22, 2020
Over 40% of today's physicians are burned out. A closer look at research indicates that not only is this a system problem rather than an individual problem, but that burnout impacts a system's revenue streams, healthcare quality, and patient safety and satisfaction. Experts suggest the problem may even be of more concern in rural areas.

Responding to the HIV Crisis in Scott County, Indiana: Q&A with Dr. William Cooke

November 28, 2018
Scott County, Indiana, has been in the national spotlight since experiencing the largest HIV outbreak in rural America's recent history. The town's only physician at the time, Dr. William Cooke, took action to bring healing and hope to his community of Austin and the surrounding county. In this Q&A, he shares the motivation behind his compassionate approach to care.

An Interview with John Halfen, M.D.

August 20, 2014
Halfen, the Medical Director of Lakewood Health System in Staples, Minn., discusses the challenges of transitioning to a patient centered medical home model.