Improving health care options in rural Minnesota

The days of the Norman Rockwell-esque doctor-a sole practitioner, with an office on Main Street, providing quality health care to farmers and family members-are gone. Most doctors can’t afford to operate on their own, and fewer doctors are pursuing careers as primary care physicians in rural areas. However, new technologies like telemedicine and financial incentives for primary care doctors, both supported by federal health care reform, can help expand health care options in rural Minnesota.