USDA salutes rural healthcare providers

The United States Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, paid tribute to Rural Health Month in November. We recognize all the doctors, clinics and health specialists who serve rural areas in the nation, and particularly here in Idaho.

Among the states, Idaho has the lowest number of active physicians per 100,000 people and the lowest number of direct patient care physicians. People may wonder why the USDA Rural Development is the federal agency funding health care in Idaho. The reason is that we describe ourselves as "everything rural."

Over the years, USDA Rural Development has provided over $42 million in loans and grants to Idaho clinics, hospitals, and rural health programs. Towns that have received USDA health care funding include Council, Ashton, Shoshone, Bonners Ferry, Rigby, Preston, Lava Hot Springs, Salmon, St. Anthony Emmett, Weiser Glens Ferry, Bear Lake, Chalis, American Falls, Cambridge and the Nez Perce and Shoshone Bannock Tribes. We salute our rural healthcare providers.

RICHARD RUSH

Boise