A Congressional Bipartisan Rural Health Caucus, co-chaired by U.S. Reps. Diana Harshbarger (R-TN) and Jill Tokuda (D-HI), recently held a kick-off event marking its formal launch.
The Caucus, which currently has 34 members, provides a forum for members of Congress to advocate for legislation and policy actions that improve access to quality, affordable healthcare and mental health services for people living in rural and remote communities across the country.
A press release on the website of one of the caucus members, Rep. Mark Green, M.D. (R-TN), stated that the caucus would create opportunities for members to hear directly from patients, providers, and health advocates about the challenges and successes with healthcare delivery for rural communities.
The caucus will highlight potential policy solutions including:
- Stemming hospital closures,
- Ensuring fair and adequate reimbursement rates,
- Strengthening the health workforce,
- Reducing health inequities, and
- Expanding telehealth and other innovative care delivery models.
The kickoff event included caucus members Rep. Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-PA), Rep. Susan Wild (D-PA), Rep. Carol Miller (R-WV), Rep. Andrea Salinas (D-OR), Rep. Nikki Budzinski (D-IL), Rep. James C. Moylan (R-GU), and Rep. Melanie Stansbury (D-NM).
“As a community pharmacist in East Tennessee for over 30 years, I understand the healthcare issues faced by rural communities,” said Rep. Harshbarger, in a statement. “I was proud to join my fellow co-chair, Representative Jill Tokuda, and our congressional colleagues to highlight the needs of patients and healthcare professionals in rural and remote areas. I look forward to working with my counterparts to address issues such as workforce shortages, medical supply scarcities, limited access to care, and other health care challenges to improve patient outcomes.”
“Republicans and Democrats from across the country came together to share healthcare issues impacting their districts,” said Rep. Tokuda, in a statement. “From increasing mental health needs to expanding broadband to support telehealth and addressing provider shortages, it’s clear that while our districts vary in location and demographic, we are united in the fight to improve healthcare access. We agree that Congress must do more to target resources to address the health disparities in rural and remote communities. I am proud to co-lead the Bipartisan Rural Health Caucus with my esteemed colleague, Rep. Harshbarger, and look forward to continuing this important work together.”
“The National Rural Health Association (NRHA) applauds Representatives Tokuda and Harshbarger for relaunching the Congressional Bipartisan Rural Health Caucus, and for all the participating members for their advocacy on rural health issues. The Caucus will be a great opportunity to bring critical issues facing rural providers and patients to the forefront and develop solutions. NRHA is excited to work closely with the Rural Health Caucus and advance rural health priorities in Congress,” said Alan Morgan, CEO of the National Rural Health Association, in a statement.
