[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 173 (Thursday, November 21, 2024)]
[House]
[Page H6170]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   HONORING NATIONAL RURAL HEALTH DAY

  (Ms. SALINAS asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. SALINAS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize National Rural 
Health Day. Approximately, one-fifth of America and about one in three 
Oregonians lives in a rural or frontier community.
  However, many rural areas do not have enough providers or facilities 
to meet community needs, forcing residents to travel long distances and 
requiring time off of work.
  Your Zip Code should not prevent you from accessing potentially 
lifesaving care. As a founding member of the Bipartisan Rural Health 
Caucus, I have championed several pieces of legislation that will help 
close these gaps and ensure rural America is not left behind.
  For example, my Home-Based Telemental Health Care Act would expand 
access to virtual mental health and substance use treatment services in 
rural communities.
  In addition to making it easier and cheaper for folks to see a 
provider, the bill would also help reduce stigma by allowing people to 
get care from the comfort and safety of their own homes. This is just 
one commonsense idea among many I have supported to expand access to 
healthcare in our rural communities.

  As we approach the start of a new Congress, I remain committed to 
working with anyone on both sides of the aisle who is serious about 
finding solutions to the mental health and addiction crisis. Every 
American deserves high quality, affordable healthcare regardless of 
where they live.

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