[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 167 (Thursday, November 21, 2013)]
[House]
[Page H7337]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              RURAL HEALTH

  (Mr. SMITH of Nebraska asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. SMITH of Nebraska. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge 
National Rural Health Day.
  The Third District of Nebraska spans 75 counties and contains 
hundreds of small towns and over 50 critical-access hospitals. The 
providers who serve these communities face many challenges without the 
heavy hand of government.
  In particular, I am concerned about physician supervision regulations 
which may be released by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services 
later this month. Physicians, nurses, and ancillary staff in rural 
facilities are highly trained and experienced in determining the 
appropriate level of patient care.
  Failure to allow practitioners the necessary discretion to manage 
care administration may actually limit the access to basic services and 
could further discourage physicians from seeking rural positions.
  I will continue to fight to ensure our rural communities maintain 
access to the quality care, and I appreciate the opportunity to 
recognize National Rural Health Day.

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