Strong healthcare systems are vital to rural communities in a number of ways. In addition to providing essential healthcare to residents, rural hospitals and providers also create jobs, stimulate economic activity through their local spending, and support the health and well-being of the local workforce. Without strong rural healthcare networks, residents often face long travel times for basic care, decreased workforce participation, and widening economic disparities.
The Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia, the Center for Rural Pennsylvania, and the Pennsylvania Office of Rural Health held a rural economic development summit to explore the important economic role of healthcare institutions in rural communities.
Speakers, panelists, and others discussed the opportunities and challenges of maintaining strong healthcare networks in rural regions. We explored policies, best practices, and innovative ways to support rural health initiatives through an economic development strategy.
Topics included strengthening pipelines to jobs and pathways to healthcare careers, attracting and retaining local talent to meet local needs, addressing the challenges related to rural healthcare finance and service delivery, and investing in and supporting healthcare systems as anchor institutions.
Speakers included:
- Valerie Arkoosh, Secretary of Human Services, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania;
- Anthony F. Pipa, Senior Fellow, Center for Sustainable Development, Brookings Institution; and
- Miko Rose, Professor and Founding Dean of the Proposed College of Osteopathic Medicine, Indiana University of Pennsylvania.
View presentation slides from the event.
For questions, please contact Philip Jones at philip.jones@phil.frb.org.
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