100% agree with you!

The letter actually gives the AMA a deadline for response. I mean it’s just a letter, but the writing is pretty sharp. I like it!

Should be next

I’m very much a pacifist; however, even I think that it is time someone spoke up.

I actually live in a rural part of Texas. I am running into this lower reimbursement potential as I try to set up my own practice.

I live in rural Texas. The population here is 2200. I agree with you! I’m here because of my boyfriend. Honestly, I don’t see any reason for people to move here except 1) they own land, 2) they’re sick of the city and want/know/intimately understand rural life, and 3) they’re dating someone who lives here. It’s honestly hard to find non-remote work especially with competition from NPs. Most PA jobs are 50-90 minutes away, and almost no one knows where I live when I mention it. 🫤

Honestly, I would rather have this than nothing at all. When you bring up an issue, people will talk back. That is a given. What happens when you talk is you are able to enlighten everyone else who didn’t know about this issue to begin with. That adds to the chatter. Right now, this letter will cause disorder - And that is exactly what it is meant to do. We might have the AMA “call us names,” but even if we sit back and do nothing, absolutely something happens. Ideas brew in people’s minds. We get angry. People take action. This letter was the result of the AMA essentially “talking back.” We’re just in the beginning.

Here’s an upvote 🤣

From his letter, he is excellent. I love how he delivered it with finesse - He says what he needs to say, but he gives it the right amount of heat! I actually looked for him on Instagram, but I couldn’t find him. If you still see him, tell him he got me to be a member of the AAPA again. Keep fighting!!!

Honestly, I’m not sure rural folk would pay for this because it “sounds” expensive. My goal in opening a practice is to make mental healthcare more accessible. Convincing rural people they even have a problem worth going to me is my first issue, and yes, a lot have problems here!

I went to a rural PA program as well. All my rotations, except one (the internal med one), were in rural areas. Honestly most of my classmates are still practicing in these areas. I’m not in the state anymore, but I moved to rural Texas. I definitely agree with telehealth expanding mental health access; however, as I create my business plan for my rural mental health clinic, I’m going to be in-person with telehealth availability. The hard part is I think most older people here would rather go to their doctor, but younger folks are okay with telehealth. Also regarding Starlink, I actually tried to get on their WiFi, but it still isn’t available in our area and they wouldn’t give me a time when it would be here. I am on the local WiFi, and it’s not perfect, but it’s better than using my phone for hotspot.