Jon Mark Hogg | Contributed photo
Jon Mark Hogg | Contributed photo
Rural heath care needs to be addressed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the Democrat candidate for Congress in Texas' District 11.
Jon Mark Hogg told Go San Angelo 30% of the district's counties have no hospitals. Those include Baird, Cisco, De Leon, Dublin, Goldthwaite, Gorman, Mason, Menard, Ranger, Rising Star, Robert Lee, San Saba, Santa Anna, Sterling City and Strawn, all of which previously had hospitals.
Most hospitals in rural areas struggle to remain open.
"This is nothing new, nor am I the first to highlight the problem. Rural health care and public health have long been in a precarious position," Hogg told the news agency. "For decades, government at all levels has failed to address the need for a sustainable rural-health care system and strong public-health institutions."
Hospitals are expecting more budgets cuts, which will deprive them from the millions of dollars that they need to stay open, according to Hogg. But rural health care isn't just about regular doctors appointments, Hogg said in go San Angelo. Sometimes, if the nearest hospital is over 50 miles away, reaching the hospital in time can be a matter of life or death.
"When a global pandemic threatens to stretch urban hospitals to the breaking point, where are patients who live in smaller counties to turn for help?" Hogg said.
Hogg also said investing in hospitals can help the county's economy.
"When you boil it down, failing to invest in rural hospitals and public health is to decide that the economic welfare and future of people who live in rural Texas is not important," Hogg said. "We like to say we support farmers, ranchers and the rural way of life. All too often that is where the support ends... Words cost nothing. What we need is action."
Hogg called on officials to make changes to help rural areas have hospital systems. Some ways to help are by renewing Critical Access Hospital Programs, creating Step-Down rural hospitals, strengthening rural primary care, and restoring a robust public health system.
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