AHA convenes Capitol Hill forum on path forward for rural hospital priorities

Jun 23, 2016 - 03:53 PM

The AHA today held a Rural Hospital Policy Forum on Capitol Hill. AHA President and CEO Rick Pollack welcomed senators, congressional and AHA staff, who updated rural hospital leaders on their legislative priorities and outlook for passing critical rural legislation this year. Sens. Ron Wyden (D-OR), ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee; Pat Roberts (R-KS), co-chair of the Senate Rural Health Caucus; and John Tester (D-MT) addressed the 80 or so participants, voicing their support for small and rural hospitals. Senior staff from the Senate Finance and House Ways and Means committees also participated in a panel discussion moderated by AHA Executive Vice President Tom Nickels on rural hospital concerns. In addition, AHA staff provided an update on the AHA Task Force on Ensuring Access in Vulnerable Communities, which this fall will recommend options to stabilize access to health care services in vulnerable communities, many of which will require legislative action. 

Related News Articles

Headline
Blog examines the effects of suicide in rural communities
Susan Doherty, AHA’s vice president of field engagement, and Rebecca Chickey, AHA’s senior director of behavioral health services, write on the unique ways…
Blog
Suicide in Rural Communities: Breaking Barriers to Behavioral Health Care
This year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that over 49,000 people died by suicide in 2023, the latest year for which data was…
Headline
AHA blog: Exploring Opportunities for Innovation in Rural Maternal Care
A blog by Julia Resnick, AHA senior director of health outcomes and care transformation, describes a new project with the Commonwealth Fund that will explore…
Headline
CMS opens application period for Rural Health Transformation Program 
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Sept. 15 announced that states can now apply for funding from the Rural Health Transformation Program created…
Headline
AHA highlights key health care priorities for House, Senate leaders to address by end of year 
The AHA detailed its key health care priorities for the remainder of the year in comments to House and Senate majority and minority leaders Sept. 15. The AHA…
Headline
Leaders at Coalition-sponsored event discuss issues challenging rural health care access
Health care leaders and other officials Sept. 9 shared their perspectives on issues related to health care access, particularly in rural areas, during an event…