Paying the price for being sick, old, or poor in rural America [Video]

Rural America is just like the rest of America except it’s older, poorer, and often sicker.

Even worse, if you’re all three in rural America — elderly, poor, and ill — the odds that you will receive proper care from either a government agency or a private provider are dwindling with each passing year.

For proof, here’s how the non-profit National Rural Health Association describes today’s “cultural and social differences, educational shortcomings, (and the) lack of recognition by legislators… [that now] conspire to create health care disparities” in rural America:

* There are 40 doctors per 100,000 rural Americans compared to 53 per 100,000 metro Americans.

* Income per capita in rural America is $9,242 less than in metro America.

* 14.6% of rural American households receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits. That’s 30% higher than in metro America.

* 18% of rural Americans are at least 65 years old …