I recently spoke at the One Country Rural Progress Summit to discuss the state of rural health care in America. Among the lineup of speakers was my former boss, Dr. John Kitzhaber. As the longest-serving governor of Oregon with experience as a rural ER doctor, John was keenly focused on helping rural Oregonians. I was lucky enough to serve under him as the director of the Oregon Business Development Department.

Bibb Medical Center in rural Bibb County, Alabama, has figured out a way not only to keep its emergency room open, but to transform itself into a thriving healthcare system. Their success comes at a time when rural hospitals are closing or in trouble across the country. Bibb may be a blueprint for other rural hospitals that could play an even bigger role in keeping their communities healthy. In this episode of the Health of America podcast, learn how Bibb Medical Center is beating the odds.

At a time when COVID-19 was cutting lives short across the country, another pandemic was unfolding. Between July 2019 and July 2020, nearly 84,000 Americans died from accidental drug overdoses. That’s the highest number of overdose deaths ever recorded in a single year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Compare it to the 12 month period ending in July 2019, when more than 68,000 Americans died.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies are working to improve the health of Millennials by investing in data and ideas that support long-term solutions for America's largest workforce.

Regence Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies are finding ways to connect patients, caregivers and healthcare providers through the coronavirus pandemic.

Wellvolution combines attributes important to millennials, such as a focus on wellness, apps accessible any time, interactive programs and personalized coaching.

LGBTQ patients may avoid going to the doctor because they don’t feel welcome. But Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island is training doctors to transform their clinics into “safe zones.”

In 2014, Rick Stubblefield felt like a healthy man and showed no signs of cancer. Despite his good health, Rick was over 50 which is why his wife Tami encouraged him to get his first colonoscopy.

Premera Blue Cross breaks down barriers to colorectal cancer screening for rural members.

New mothers are likelier to see a pediatrician more often in the first few months’ of their babies lives than they are to see an OBGYN or primary care doctors. It’s the perfect opportunity to screen for postpartum depression.