Expanding Its Reach in Rural Areas: The Strategy of Advocate Health Care
Advocate Health Commits $3 Billion to Revolutionising Rural Healthcare
Advocate Health, a leading nonprofit health system, has announced a significant investment of over $3 billion into its rural health strategy. The commitment is aimed at enhancing access to quality healthcare, addressing financial challenges, and supporting vulnerable rural communities.
The investment, detailed in the recent report titled "Commitment to Community: Advocate Health's Role as an Innovative National Rural Health Leader", will see Advocate Health operating 21 hospitals in rural counties across six states, along with 322 rural clinics.
One of the key focuses of this investment is uncompensated care for rural areas, with Advocate Health committing approximately $600 million annually. This funding will help ensure that rural residents have access to essential healthcare services, regardless of their ability to pay.
The report also highlights creative infrastructure solutions, such as modular emergency departments and mobile hospitals, which are designed to adapt to local contexts and provide care in remote areas.
Advocate Health is not only investing in physical infrastructure but also in digital solutions. The health system is expanding virtual care teams, telepharmacy, and hospital-at-home programs to rural areas, aiming to provide more convenient and accessible healthcare options.
Caregivers in rural areas often live in the same communities where they practice, providing a level of familiarity and trust that is crucial in healthcare. Advocate Health is leveraging this advantage to build strong relationships with patients and communities.
In addition to its investment in infrastructure and digital solutions, Advocate Health is prioritising workforce pipelines, partnerships, and policy advocacy to sustain and grow rural health. The health system is partnering with medical schools and foundations to expand rural residency programs and fortify physician pipelines.
Advocate Health is also advocating for policy changes to support rural care. The health system is calling for the creation of a national Medicare provider licensure system, making telehealth and hospital-at-home flexibilities permanent, and modernising rural hospital payment models.
The financial challenges rural hospitals face are underscored in the report, with Advocate Health acknowledging the scale of support required to keep these vital institutions viable. The health system is pouring significant resources into supporting vulnerable rural communities, including efforts to increase access to clinical trials and advanced therapies for rural patients.
Recent partnerships, like Hugh Chatham Health joining Advocate Health, include a $100 million commitment to bolster technology, services, and staffing. This partnership is part of Advocate Health's broader strategy to expand its reach and impact in rural healthcare.
The health system is also highlighting the critical role of access in rural healthcare. With more than 110 patients per day receiving hospital-level care at home through Advocate Health's programs, the goal is to extend this model deeper into rural areas.
In conclusion, Advocate Health's commitment to rural healthcare is ongoing, with a focus on learning from rural health leaders and clinicians, adapting to local contexts, and investing in innovative solutions to address the unique challenges faced by rural communities. The health system's $3 billion investment is a testament to its dedication to improving rural healthcare and ensuring that everyone has access to quality care, regardless of their location.
