AAFP Rural Health
Almost a quarter of the U.S. population lives in rural areas, and disparities between health outcomes and rural residents continue to increase. About 17 percent of AAFP members live and work in rural America and know firsthand the realities rural communities face to remain prosperous and vibrant.
Rural communities' needs are unique, oftentimes differing greatly from those of their urban counterparts. The AAFP is committed to empowering you with evidence-based resources as you address those unique needs as you improve rural health care.
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Advocacy
In a country challenged by a primary care shortage, rural physicians are especially vulnerable. With seventeen percent of AAFP members living and working in rural areas, advocating for policies that support rural physicians, and their patients, is a key component of our work with Capitol Hill, the Administration and state governments. So many factors contribute to the difficulties of day-to-day practice in rural areas and our advocacy efforts represent those varied issues and concerns. Here are some of the ways the Academy is advocating for you, recent wins, and how you can directly contribute to these efforts through AAFP Speak Out campaigns:
- Medicare physician payment reform
- Increased reimbursement from Medicaid
- Telehealth expansion
- Teaching Health Center Graduate Medical Education funding
- Traditional Graduate Medical Education reform
- Tax Credits that support rural physicians
Recent Outreach to the Hill and Administration in Support of Rural Family Physicians
Joint AAFP-CAFM Comments on FY 2025 IPPS proposed rule - June 10, 2024
AAFP Statement to Senate Finance Committee on Rural Health - May 16, 2024
Joint Letter in Support of Rural Residency Planning and Development Act of 2024 - May 14, 2024
AAFP Letter for Ways and Means Hearing on Rural Home Health Care - March 12, 2024
AAFP Letter to House on Ways and Means Rural Health RFI - September 28, 2023
AAFP Letter Endorsing the Rural Physician Workforce Production Act - February 14, 2023
Resources
Members in Action
Student Leader Plans to Return to Rural Roots
Abbey Fischer-Michel already was leaning toward family medicine when she entered medical school because she wanted to practice in a rural area. Participating in her school’s family medicine interest group solidified that decision.
Can Family Doctors Deliver Rural America from Its Maternal Health Crisis?
Family medicine physicians provide the majority of labor and delivery care in rural America, where more than half of rural counties in the United States have no hospital services for delivering babies.
Resident Award Winner Has Passion for Rural Health
Kelly Dougherty is determined to improve care and access for patients in Missouri’s small towns and rural areas. She spent a month in Washington, D.C., earlier this year as a visiting scholar with the Robert Graham Center and the Center for Professionalism and Value in Health Care