WASHINGTON — A bipartisan group of Congressional members aims to improve access to quality health care and services in rural America.
The bipartisan Caucus on Rural Health held its first meeting on September 20 and serves as a forum for U.S. representatives to advance legislation and policy actions related to rural health. Members met to discuss issues facing rural areas.
One report said caucus members will have the opportunity to hear from patients, health care providers and health care advocates on the issue. press release From Representative Mark Greene, Republican of Tennessee. Carrie Cochran McClain, chief policy officer of the National Rural Health Association, spoke at the first meeting. meeting.
According to the Greens, the caucus will “stop hospital closures, ensure fair and appropriate reimbursement rates, strengthen the health workforce, reduce health disparities, and expand telemedicine and other innovative health care delivery models.” Potential policy solutions will be highlighted. press release.
U.S. Rep. Jill Tokuda, D-Hawaii, and Rep. Diana Hershberger, Republican of Tennessee, are co-chairs of the caucus, which currently includes 34 members from both Democrats and Republicans from across the country. There is.
“Many of us decided it was time to pay more attention to rural areas, especially when it comes to health,” Rep. Andrea Salinas, an Oregon Democrat and founding member of the caucus, told State Newsroom. Told.
Hershberger, who has been a community pharmacist for more than 30 years, said she is proud to be a part of this effort that “highlights the needs of patients and health care professionals in rural and remote areas.”
“I look forward to working with my colleagues to address workforce shortages, supply shortages, limited access to care, and other health care challenges to improve patient outcomes,” said Hershberger. Stated. statement.
Rural areas in distress
According to Japan, approximately 66.3 million people, or 20% of the nation’s population, live in rural areas. US Census Bureau.
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought significant attention to the obstacles rural communities face when it comes to health care. Many people living in rural areas experience health care shortages and have to travel long distances to receive treatment.
“No one should have to travel hours through dangerous terrain to see a doctor. But for many people living in rural Oregon, this is just a reality.” Salinas said in a press release.
Salinas said that amid Oregon’s mental health and substance use crisis, “it’s even more important to address these issues now.”
In Oregon’s 6th District, which Salinas represents, more local health care facilities have closed, she said. Her district includes rural areas of Polk, Marion and Yamhill counties.
A medical center in Polk County, Oregon, closed its maternity ward due to a shortage of obstetricians and gynecologists, Salinas said. There is also a shortage of primary care physicians in rural areas of Yamhill County, she said.
Salinas’ district has the largest Latino population in Oregon, but she said the community lacks the care they need.
“Mental health is a big issue for me. I know that in some of our rural counties, we don’t see culturally and linguistically responsive care, especially when it comes to mental health care,” Salinas said. Ta.
green is highlighted statement He emphasized the importance of removing barriers to emergency treatment, as it “could be a matter of life or death.”
“Tennessee is plagued by local hospital closures and limited access to emergency care. This issue, combined with the second-most hospital closures of any other state, is a pressing issue for my constituents. “It’s a disaster,” Green said. statement.
bipartisan goals
Rep. Susan Wild, D-Pennsylvania, said: press release She said she is excited to work with both Democratic and Republican colleagues to address these barriers in rural America.
“Whether it’s pushing for fair reimbursement rates for local hospitals or advancing protections for our $340 billion drug pricing program, I’m committed to making sure everyone stays safe, no matter where they live. We will continue to work hard to make sure they have access to the quality, affordable care they need to stay healthy.” Wilde said.
Tokuda said Congress “needs to do more to target resources to address health disparities in rural and remote communities.”
“From increasing mental health needs to expanding broadband to support telehealth to addressing health care provider shortages, our district, with its disparate locations and demographics, continues to fight to improve health care access. “It is clear that we are united in this,” Tokuda said in the paper. press release.
Mr. Salinas said he is encouraged that so many delegates share the desire to combat the effects of labor shortages.
“I really hope we can work together across the aisle, because the issues we face, whether it’s mental health, substance use disorders, lack of access to primary care providers, reproductive health issues, are not just problems. Because I always say, ‘Oregon’s CD6 problem is not just an Oregon problem, it’s a national problem,” Salinas said.
Salinas said he is open to looking at what red tape can be removed for health care providers. She mentioned how telehealth services have provided people with the ability to access health care providers in other states during the pandemic.
“So if you live in a rural community, that’s really helpful, but you also have to solve the broadband issue,” Salinas said. “There are many other issues with access to health care.”
Salinas said he hopes caucus members can find common ground on what the problems are and how to solve them.
“I’m just looking forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle,” Salinas said. ”
