Advocates for better healthcare in Illinois’ rural areas say one problem is a lack of doctors. But they believe a long-running program is making a difference.
The Rural Medical Education Program is offered through the University of Illinois at Rockford. The school says the program graduated more than 260 students since 1993. Most of them went to practice in rural communities.
Margaret Vaughn, who is the executive director of the Illinois Rural Health Association, says the program is a big help.
Vaughn says more doctors might practice in rural areas if more money was provided to the rural medical education program. She also thinks student loans should be forgiven for doctors willing to practice in underserved parts of the state.
Vaughn says 25 percent of the population lives in rural areas, but only 10 percent of physicians practice there.