Governor Robert Bentley has declared the week of November 12-16, 2011 as Rural Health Week in Alabama.  This week includes November 15, which has been declared as National Rural Health Day.

The availability of adequate and quality health care, that is often taken for granted in our more urbanized counties, is far from a reality in many of Alabama’s rural counties.  Currently, only five of Alabama’s 55 rural counties are not entirely or partially classified as having a shortage of primary care physician services.  All 55 rural counties are classified as shortage areas for the provision of dental and mental health care.  Three rural counties do not have a full-time dentist in the entire county.  Thirty-six of the 55 rural counties do not have hospitals that deliver babies with other rural hospitals currently considering ceasing this basic service.  Seventeen rural counties do not have a dialysis clinic.  The availability of emergency medi

With the goal of reforming Medicaid by improving financial stability and patient care, Governor Robert Bentley on Thursday signed an executive order establishing the Alabama Medicaid Advisory Commission.

The Commission will be tasked with evaluating the financial structure of the Alabama Medicaid Agency and identifying ways to increase efficiency while also helping ensure the long-term sustainability of the agency.  The Commission will make recommendations to Governor Bentley prior to the 2013 Regular Session of the Alabama Legislature.

“We are committed to increasing efficiency, eliminating fraud and maintaining patient care,” Governor Bentley said.  “We believe we can deliver higher-quality care while also controlling costs.  The Alabama Medicaid Advisory Commission will help us accomplish this.”

“The Commission will include members who are all dedicated to quality healthcare,” Governor Bentley added.  “We’ll listen to the perspectives o