John Gilmer wrote:


Yes, and there are plenty of areas in the US where you can drive for
many miles passing through town after town with triple digit
populations. Providing services to people in these areas is
substantially more expensive than people in a large city.

Perhaps you might think so but that doesn't make it true. Most
"essentials" are less expensive for the bumpkins than for your city folks.

I disagree.


Transportation
issues are a big issue for the poorer folks, you could give universal
coverage to them (which already exists anyway in emergency rooms), but
they still need to somehow get to the medical center that might be 50
miles away.

That's why folks try to stay on good terms with their neighbors. Also,
most rural communities have a "Rescue Squad" on call.

That said, if you have a heart attack while "in the sticks," the odds are
you will not get to the hospital in time to make a difference.

The availability of inexpensive AEDs helps a great deal with that last
issue.