Millions of Americans live in “ambulance deserts,” with the most rural areas being more than an hour away from emergency medical services (EMS). These areas struggle to sustain ambulance services due to low patient volumes, reimbursement rates, and staffing shortages. Rural Americans have less access to healthcare and are at a higher risk of dying from certain diseases and accidents. Video telehealth technology is being used to improve treatment and speed up care in these areas. Funding and new reimbursement models are being considered to address ambulance deserts, and declaring EMS an essential service could help make them more accessible.
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What a Bison Goring Can Teach Us About Rural Emergency Care
