title: The importance of health insurance and the safety net in rural communities.
abstract: Access to health insurance and health care are critical for people living in rural communities, where the safety net is fragile. However, rural communities face challenges as they enroll uninsured people in the health insurance marketplace, educate newly insured individuals on how to use insurance, and coordinate care for those who remain uninsured.
authors.affiliation: Regional Health Services, East Carolina University; North Carolina Agromedicine Institute, East Carolina University; Generalist Physician Program, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina, USA.
authors.forename: Thomas G
authors.initials: TG
authors.lastname: Irons
authors.affiliation: Care Share Health Alliance, Cary, North Carolina, USA. kmoore@CareShareHealth.org.
authors.forename: Kellan S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Moore
mesh_terms: D062265:Health Insurance Exchanges; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D019458:Insurance Coverage; D007348:Insurance, Health; D008484:Medicaid; D017057:Medically Uninsured; D006278:Medicare; D009657:North Carolina; D058991:Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act; D012424:Rural Population; D064876:Safety-net Providers; D014481:United States