Idaho Bureau of Rural Health and Primary Care

Rural Health and Underserved Areas

The Bureau of Rural Health & Primary Care implements programs and provides resources to improve access to healthcare in Idaho’s rural and underserved areas. These efforts include clinician loan repayment programs, health workforce initiatives, health professional shortage area designations, education and resources for critical access hospital, rural health clinics, and free medical clinics, and support for the transition to value-based healthcare.

About rural health and primary care in Idaho

Background

Because Idaho is a large and mostly rural western state, geography and distance impact the health and safety of Idahoans. The residents of Idaho’s rural communities tend to be older, experience higher rates of poverty and lower per capita income, and have higher uninsured rates, as compared to their urban counterparts.

*The challenge of access to healthcare *

The federal government designates Health Professional Shortage Areas for communities with a shortage of providers for primary care, dental health, or mental health. The shortage designations may include geographic areas, population groups, or facilities.

Economic impact

Health services contribute significantly to disease prevention and management and play a vital role in supporting state and local economies. In Idaho, the average physician directly and indirectly supports an estimated 12 jobs and generates approximately $1.9 million in economic benefits.