Health Access

Fargo, ND, 2004

North Dakota is a large rural state experiencing population loss and the struggles of an agricultural economy. Access to health care is consistently identified as a top problem not only in agricultural areas and on the four reservations, but also among vulnerable populations in the towns. Because of this growing problem, North Dakota Public Radio (NDPR) undertook a broad statewide public education and discussion campaign through Health Access, with the potential for legislation to improve family health care access.

Partners for Health Access are NDPR, an eight-station statewide network, and Family HealthCare Center of Fargo (FHC). FHC serves the homeless, migrants and the uninsured/underinsured, and has helped to establish other clinics with which they form the Primary Care Association of North Dakota.

One of FHC's goals is legislation that will increase access to insurance options for children and families. FHC, in conjunction with legislators from both parties and other people and organizations with interests in health care, convened a summit meeting to discuss issues, increase cooperation and facilitate the establishment of a legislative committee to prepare such legislation. Because of North Dakota's biennial legislative calendar, the goal is to introduce legislation during the 2007 session.

NDPR will cover the summit, and use a variety of formats to educate the public including talk shows, news stories, features, short announcements and segments within ongoing programs. Programs will feature both policy discussion and grassroots stories. A CD compendium of the programming will be distributed to legislators, other leaders and policymakers.