Tell Congress to Support Rural Communities
Rural hospitals care for more than 60 million Americans living in rural communities, representing 20% of the entire U.S. population. These critical facilities are often the sole provider of comprehensive medical care in their communities, and serve older, lower-income populations with a high volume of Medicare-dependent patients. But since 2010, nearly 150 rural hospitals have closed or converted, and many more are at risk.
Congress can help rural communities by supporting legislation that strengthens the rural safety net, leverages technology to improve access to care, stops Medicare cuts, ensures fair competition to protect rural hospital viability, and invests in the rural health care workforce. Learn more about protecting rural community access to care below.
Congressional Statement
FAH End-of-Year Policy Priorities
As the 118th Congress comes to a close, FAH is advocating for rural patients and communities, including support for a permanent extension of the Medicare-Dependent Hospital and Low-Volume Hospital adjustment payment programs.
These programs ensure access to care for patients by keeping rural hospitals’ doors open, even as they deal with underpayment by government programs, tactics that delay and deny care by managed care plans, and workforce and other operational challenges.
Report
Hospitals’ Unique Role in Providing 24-Hour Care
A new analysis confirms hospitals and health systems provide access to 24/7 care that other providers typically cannot offer, making them indispensable, crucial access points for care especially in rural areas.
Congressional Statement
FAH Statement on E&C Telehealth Markup
Hospitals have been at the forefront of implementing innovative health care technologies and making telehealth and remote patient monitoring part of our operations – particularly in rural communities where access to care can be more difficult.
In this statement to the House Committee on Energy & Commerce, FAH endorsed the advancement of several bills that would expand access to these critical services.
Congressional Statement
FAH Outlines Legislative Priorities in Letter to Leadership
FAH kicked off 2024 by outlining key priorities for Congressional leadership. These priorities include ensuring the long-term fiscal stability of rural hospitals by extending the Low Volume Hospital (LVH) and Medicare Dependent Hospital (MDH) programs.
Congressional Statement
FAH Statement to Senate Finance on Rural Health
FAH advocated for rural access to care ahead of the Senate Finance Committee’s hearing entitled “Rural Health Care: Supporting Lives and Improving Communities.” FAH raised the ongoing challenges rural communities must deal with in accessing care, making rural hospitals more financially stable, and maintaining an adequate workforce in the face of provider burnout, physician and staffing shortages, and difficulties in attracting workers.
Stories of Care
Rural Hospitals are Protecting Access to Care in Your Community
Every day, millions of Americans in small communities depend on rural hospitals for care. Read about how FAH member hospitals and their expert staff impact their local communities every day.
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