A survey from Global Strategy Group on behalf of One Country Project and Save Our Air Medical Resources (SOAR) reveals that voters nationwide view the quality of healthcare in rural and remote communities as lower quality than the rest of the country. According to the poll, voters also overwhelming view emergency air medical services as a critical life-saving service for rural Americans.

Remote regions rely on HEMS

“Voters agree that access to quality, affordable health care should not be determined by where you live,” said former U.S. Senator and founder of One country Project Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND). “Americans in every zip code deserve access to emergency air medical transportation, but it is especially important for those living in remote and underserved areas where hospitals are closing at alarming rates.”

The poll also revealed that 88 per cent of voters agree that health insurance should cover the cost of emergency services, and 52 per cent of voters say Covid-19 has had a greater negative impact in rural areas because of a lack of health care providers. 

“The Covid-19 public health crisis has hit rural America hard, and its resulting economic pain has only heightened the anxiety voters are feeling about being able to afford health care in this country,” said SOAR spokesperson Christina Kanmaz.  “This new survey underlines the necessity for Congress and the Administration to support policies that ensure sustainable reimbursement rates for air medical providers so patients can have continued access to these services.”