[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 870 Introduced in House (IH)]

<DOC>






118th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 870

     Supporting the goals and ideals of National Rural Health Day.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           November 14, 2023

    Mrs. Harshbarger (for herself, Ms. Tokuda, Mrs. Miller of West 
Virginia, Ms. Sewell, Mr. Moylan, Ms. Wild, Mr. Sablan, Mr. Moolenaar, 
 Mr. Kilmer, Ms. Jackson Lee, Mr. Ruiz, Mr. Thompson of Pennsylvania, 
 Mr. Trone, Ms. Hoyle of Oregon, Mr. Rose, Mr. Bergman, Mr. Johnson of 
South Dakota, Mr. Graves of Missouri, Mr. Smith of Nebraska, Mr. Davis 
 of North Carolina, Ms. Caraveo, Ms. Lee of Nevada, Ms. Budzinski, Mr. 
    Pappas, Mr. Armstrong, Ms. Spanberger, and Ms. Leger Fernandez) 
submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee 
                         on Energy and Commerce

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
     Supporting the goals and ideals of National Rural Health Day.

Whereas over 60,000,000 hard-working individuals in the United States live in 
        rural communities;
Whereas, according to the United States Census Bureau, 97 percent of the total 
        landmass in the United States is designated as ``rural'';
Whereas individuals in the United States in rural areas live in pursuit of the 
        common good and keep values of the United States alive by fostering a 
        spirit of generosity and respect among neighbors;
Whereas rural health care providers and patients showcase a selfless and 
        community-minded spirit;
Whereas rural areas in the United States are places of opportunity for--

    (1) mission-minded health professionals to provide individualized care 
to their communities; and

    (2) fueling innovations in rural health infrastructure, quality, and 
delivery;

Whereas health care providers in rural areas are uniquely positioned to deliver 
        value-based holistic care;
Whereas rural health care providers are known and trusted by their patients;
Whereas residents in rural areas tend to experience lower life expectancy and 
        poorer health status due to structural, behavioral, and geographic 
        factors;
Whereas residents in rural areas face barriers to accessing health care due to 
        higher rates of uninsurance and underinsurance, lack of reliable 
        transportation options, often increased exposure to public health and 
        occupational hazards, and a limited number of available providers, 
        especially those providing specialized care;
Whereas rural health facilities in the United States face systemic challenges, 
        including clinician workforce shortages, difficulty accessing certain 
        technologies such as telehealth, and lower volumes of services spread 
        over fixed costs;
Whereas these challenges have made it more difficult for rural health care 
        facilities to keep their doors open and serve patients, and have 
        contributed to 150 rural hospital closures since 2010;
Whereas National Rural Health Day was established to honor rural communities in 
        the United States and the contributions and efforts of rural communities 
        in addressing the unique challenges facing rural health care;
Whereas the National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health has 
        recognized National Rural Health Day to be the third Thursday of each 
        November since 2011, in collaboration with partners such as the National 
        Rural Health Association; and
Whereas National Rural Health Day will be recognized this year on November 16, 
        2023: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) supports the designation of ``National Rural Health 
        Day'';
            (2) recognizes and supports the goals and ideals of 
        National Rural Health Day;
            (3) celebrates rural health care providers and the millions 
        of individuals in the United States that rural health care 
        providers serve; and
            (4) expresses a commitment to advancing policies to improve 
        health care accessibility and affordability in rural areas of 
        the United States.
                                 <all>