A doctor and a mother navigate the gaps in rural health care in Cochise County
Dr. Derksen interviewed in three-part series looking at Rural Health Challenges
As federal policy threatens to leave thousands of Arizonans without coverage, this three-part series examines the personal stories and systemic hurdles defining rural health care.
This three-part series, "Health on the Range: A Look at Rural Health Challenges," explores the intersection of shifting policy and personal resilience , following a pediatrician’s calling, a mother’s journey to care for her son and the state’s $167 million opportunity to transform the future of rural medicine.
Dr. Dan Derksen, the director of the University of Arizona Center for Rural Health, warns of a bureaucratic shift that could leave up to 400,000 Arizonans without Medicaid coverage by 2027.
These cuts threaten the viability of rural safety nets that are already struggling with 40% vacancy rates for medical professionals. However, a new $167 million annual investment through the Rural Health Transformation Program offers a glimmer of hope. Health leaders are looking for innovative ways to bridge the gap and ensure that where a person lives does not determine how long they live.
This article was originally published by Arizona Public Media