Things are happening in the provision of rural health care. The work of health care professionals, universities, and governmental agencies is beginning to pay off, and people in an increasing number of rural communities are the beneficiaries. The need for this kind of innovative work in rural health care provision was underscored recently by Earl Butz, Secretary of Agriculture, who said: "We must develop model facilities which can then be adapted by other communities for their own use." A number of programs are in operation that have already had an impact on the state of rural health and whose influence can be expected to continue to grow and spread. More primary care physicians are being produced. Rural emergency medical services are being extended into many more areas. Certification programs for physician's assistants are being expanded. The rural preceptorship program is being adopted by more medical schools. There is progress in
