In the Finger Lakes, access to health care can be a daily struggle. Our community members often have to travel miles to see a primary care provider, which means that many put off preventative care until it becomes a crisis.

Primary care is the foundation of well-being. But across rural New York, that foundation is under strain.

At Finger Lakes Community Health, we serve patients across a region defined by its geography — small towns, rural communities, and long distances between care providers. For many of our patients, accessing primary care is not as simple as scheduling an appointment. It means navigating transportation barriers, limited provider availability, and a shrinking healthcare workforce.

The data reflects what our team sees on the ground every day. In parts of Yates county, 16% of adults do not have a usual source of care. That figure is even higher in Seneca county, with 17% of adults not having a usual source of care. This means thousands of people across the Finger Lakes do not have a regular place to go when they........

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