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SD public defense duties shift from counties to state; SCOTUS appears skeptical of restricting government communications with social media companies; Trump lawyers say he can't make bond; new scholarships aim to connect class of 2024 to high-demand jobs.

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The SCOTUS weighs government influence on social media, and who groups like the NRA can do business with. Biden signs an executive order to advance women's health research and the White House tells Israel it's responsible for the Gaza humanitarian crisis.

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Midwest regenerative farmers are rethinking chicken production, Medicare Advantage is squeezing the finances of rural hospitals and California's extreme swing from floods to drought has some thinking it's time to turn rural farm parcels into floodplains.

Rural Health Day: What Challenges Do SD Communities Face?

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Thursday, November 16, 2017   

PIERRE, S.D. – Outside of the major cities in South Dakota and across the country, communities on Thursday are celebrating National Rural Health Day.

South Dakota Gov. Dennis Daugaard has issued a proclamation marking the day.

More than 60 million Americans live in rural areas. And Tom Martinec, deputy secretary of the state for Department of Health, says the biggest challenge South Dakota's rural communities face is a workforce shortage.

When providers leave an area that affects access to care as well as economic stability.

"A lot of times, the health care facilities are some of the larger employers in the community, and the community really sees that as a vital resource that needs to be provided,” he points out. “In those situations where they lose a health care facility or they lose some practitioners, that really impacts the community."

Martinec says Emergency Medical Services are another big hurdle. Often in rural communities, the EMS workforce is voluntary.

But Martinec says rural communities' biggest challenge also reveals one of its biggest strengths – the devoted nature of rural workers.

"Those are some of the most dedicated, hard working folks you'll find in health care because they're committed to that facility,” he states. “It's more of a community type of commitment they have. And so, we see very good quality of care."

Martinec says telemedicine has expanded health care in rural areas, giving isolated communities access to specialized services.

He says telemedicine is one the assets helping to keep rural facilities viable.





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