In the medical desert of rural America, one doctor for 11,000 square miles

[yortsed snacilbuper]

VAN HORN, Tex. —He woke up to the sound of an ambulance’s siren, knowing that the ambulance would soon be delivering another patient to him. Ed Garner, 68, changed into medical scrubs and walked out to his truck. He dialed the hospital as he started driving toward the emergency room.

“Any idea what might be coming?” he asked, but all anyone knew for certain was that the ambulance was still on its way out to a patient. Sometimes the paramedics were back within minutes, and other trips took nearly two hours. Sometimes they delivered Garner a patient in minor distress, and other times they brought him unresponsive victims of car crashes, heart attacks, drug overdoses or ranching accidents.

“Do we know anything yet?” Garner asked again, a few minutes later. A stethoscope dangled from his rearview mirror. He checked his police scanner, but it was quiet. He looked toward the adjacent interstate but saw no obvious wrecks.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/out-here-its-just-me-in-the-medical-desert-of-rural-america-one-doctor-for-11000-square-miles/ar-AAHZBCH?ocid=spartanntp

[redstatebluegirl]

1. It is terrible here in Oklahoma since the republicans would not expand Medicare.

Lots of rural hospitals closing, clinics and doctors leaving. But they don't care, they are "getting the libs" by electing these clowns.

[comradebillyboy]

2. Need to do something about the doctor shortage. Doesn't matter if

health care is free if there are no healthcare providers.

[AllaN01Bear]

3. this is rediculus.