Site Visit

Exploring California's Rural Health System: From the Redwood Forests to the Baja Border
March 29–31, 2005

Authors

Eileen Salinsky & Jessamy Taylor, MPP

Summary

This three day site visit to California explored the state’s rural health system with a particular focus on the financial health of inpatient and outpatient providers and how that affects access to care. The role of telemedicine as a tool for expanding access was explored as well as the special needs of vulnerable populations such as farmworkers. Participants learned how state and federal regulation and payment policies and state budget deficits impact the viability of rural health systems.

Related Materials

For details on participants' impressions, see the Site Visit Report, published June 22, 2005.