John Thune: “when I was back in South Dakota over the August recess, I traveled around the State visiting rural hospitals, clinics…”

“when I was back in South Dakota over the August recess, I traveled around the State visiting rural hospitals, clinics and nursing homes. I wanted to get a first-hand look at some of the challenges that are being faced by rural health care providers. I also learned about some of the successes that we have been having. I represent the entire State of South Dakota. That is 66 counties and 77,000 square miles made up primarily of farmland and grassland. When the citizens of South Dakota need access to a health care provider, it is not uncommon for them to drive 100 miles just to make a regular appointment. Distance really affects how people get health care in South Dakota. If one's elderly mother needs to see the doctor, one may need to take off work and make sure the kids are taken care of while one spends all day traveling back and forth only to spend 20 minutes with a physician. That is when the weather is good. When the weather is bad with the snow and the wind, that trip is just not possible. One's mother would have to make another appointment several days later and wait to get the medical care she needs. But in times of tragedy or emergency, rural residents do not have that luxury. Take, for instance, the example of the farmer working in the field. Farm equipment accidents injure and kill rural residents every year. When the accident happens, the victims need medical attention and they need it quickly.”