Investigates the extent to which the rural safety net is able to meet the needs of people with diabetes. Finds that small rural communities have a relatively greater need for safety net services to diabetics than their urban counterparts. To provide the needed array of services, medications, and support, a coordinated, team approach to care is needed. Such an approach would include the following elements: insurance coverage would be consistent with the standards of care; team management and care coordination would be facilitated, and the informal safety net would be formalized.