[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 190 (Wednesday, November 15, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5553-S5554]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 SENATE RESOLUTION 470--DESIGNATING NOVEMBER 16TH, 2023, AS ``NATIONAL 
                           RURAL HEALTH DAY''

  Mr. BARRASSO (for himself, Ms. Smith, Mrs. Blackburn, Mr. Bennet, Ms. 
Lummis, Mr. Marshall, Ms. Sinema, Mr. Daines, Ms. Ernst, Mr. Hawley, 
Mrs. Capito, Mr. Crapo, Mr. Risch, Mr. Thune, Mr. Scott of South 
Carolina, Mr. Lankford, Mr. Ricketts, Mr. Wicker, Mr. Hickenlooper, Mr. 
Cramer, Mr. Manchin, Mr. Moran, Mr. Tester, Mr. Van Hollen, Mr. 
Merkley, Mr. Brown, and Mr. Heinrich) submitted the following 
resolution; which was considered and agreed to:

                              S. Res. 470

       Whereas over 60,000,000 hardworking individuals in the 
     United States live in rural communities;
       Whereas, according to the Bureau of the Census, 97 percent 
     of the total landmass of 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 rural communities; and
       (2) fueling innovations in rural health infrastructure, 
     quality, and delivery of health care;
       Whereas health care providers in rural areas are uniquely 
     positioned to provide 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 accessing 
     health care due to higher rates of uninsurance and 
     underinsurance, lack of reliable transportation options, 
     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 the systemic challenges rural health facilities 
     face have contributed to 150 rural hospital closures since 
     2010;

[[Page S5554]]

       Whereas the systemic challenges rural health facilities 
     face have made it more difficult for all rural health care 
     facilities to keep their doors open and serve patients;
       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 Senate--
       (1) designates November 16, 2023, as ``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.

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