Having grown up in a small rural town in South Carolina, I can attest to the fact that sometimes your choices for service are usually few and far between.

Typically, there's only one of anything, and if you want to check out a competitor be prepared to drive at least 50 miles out.

This is the case especially when it comes down to healthcare needs.

One of my family members is now in a position where she sees a specialist who is about 60 miles away. Every Tuesday she dreads that long commute, which is reflected through her blood pressure tests.

Unfortunately, there's not a specialist tailored toward her needs in my hometown.

One of the greatest issues often forgotten in healthcare, are rural areas with little or no physician penetration. The access to quality care and the ease of choice to select a physician best suited for your needs are the two biggest roadblocks people face in rural areas.

Many times you're "grandfathered" into the only practicing doctor around - and when things become difficult you're referred out to a 'specialist' nearly 100 miles away.

Perhaps the answer to all this is telemedicine -but the problem truly won't be solved until there are more options for care in rural areas.