Rural policy brief

About the RUPRI Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis The RUPRI Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis conducts original research in the topical areas of access to health care services, Medicare policies, development of rural delivery systems (including effects of national policy), and public health. The mission of the Center is to provide timely analysis to federal and state health policy makers, based on the best available research. The research of the RUPRI Center has included studies of Medicare managed care (currently Medicare Advantage plan enrollment), the Medicare prescription drug program, characteristics of the uninsured population in rural areas, classification of rural areas as unlikely to generate financial support for health care providers, and patterns of admission to hospitals for conditions treatable in an outpatient environment. Specific objectives for the Center�s work include: conducting original research and independent policy analysis that provides policy makers and others with a more complete understanding of the implications of health policy initiatives, and disseminating policy analysis that assures policy makers will consider the needs of rural health care delivery systems in the design and implementation of health policy.