On Life Support: Rural Health In Nevada

On Life Support: Rural Health In Nevada

Between the two metro areas of Las Vegas and Reno lies a vast expanse filled with small cities, tiny towns, and miniature communities. Rural Nevada is home to more than a quarter-million people — many who struggle with where to go for good health care.

Finding medical providers has become so difficult that Nevada is now enticing them to far-flung areas with a student loan repayment offer; medical school graduates who take jobs in rural communities can have up to $50,000 of their student debt repaid by the state.

KNPR's State of Nevada and Desert Companion magazine investigated what the lack of access to health care means to the people who live in rural areas and what can be done to get them the lifesaving services they need.

Desert Companion

Frontier Emergency

Heidi Kyser

Tonopah rallied to recover from its hospital’s closure four years ago, but daunting gaps remain. It’s a case study in the healthcare crisis facing rural communities.