On the Cover

Ethical issues in healthcare arise in both rural and urban areas. But rural healthcare providers in states such as Maine can face additional dilemmas when weighing the best treatment options for patients, whose access can be limited by geography and economics. Pursuing high-end treatment far from home can come at a high price for some rural patients, including loss of direct contact with their family and community support networks, impacting quality of life. When it comes to bioethics in rural settings, there are no easy answers, according to University of Maine philosopher Jessica Miller.