It’s no secret that the farm economy has been tough on our rural communities in recent years. On top of losing local restaurants and grocery stores, many small towns are now in healthcare deserts as rural clinics and other facilities continue to close. As we approach November, the race to become Iowa’s next U.S. Senator is heating up, and rural healthcare is one of the main topics. Iowa Congresswoman Ashley Hinson, who is the Republican nominee for the Iowa senate race, said she wants to focus on making rural healthcare more affordable and accessible.
Iowa Democratic Nominee for Senator Josh Turek said independent rural pharmacies are one of the pillars that support small towns, but we have lost 160 of them over the last decade.
One of the primary factors that has led to the closure of so many rural healthcare facilities is the difficulty of keeping doctors and nurses here in Iowa. Hinson said she has been encouraged by the actions the state legislature has taken to keep Iowa’s home-grown medical talent in the state, and the federal government can help out by investing in high-quality medical research facilities.
Turek said he believes every American deserves to have access to some level of healthcare, and tuition incentives could help encourage medical students to seek careers in Iowa.
Stay tuned to iowaagnet.com for coverage of the top ag issues in the 2026 Iowa Senate race.
