[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 195 (Wednesday, November 19, 2025)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1093]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   HONORING NATIONAL RURAL HEALTH DAY

                                  _____
                                 

                        HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 19, 2025

  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition 
of National Rural Health Day and to bring attention to the crisis 
gripping rural communities in Mississippi's 2nd Congressional District. 
My district is majority Black, deeply rural, and medically underserved. 
Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress continue to push policies that 
weaken our health care system, close rural hospitals, and leave 
families with fewer providers, fewer services, and fewer places to turn 
in an emergency. Their so called ``One Big Ugly Bill'' drives 338 rural 
hospitals nationwide closer to shutting down, including eight in 
Mississippi and four of them are in my district. Five counties I 
represent have no hospital at all, and some families must travel more 
than 90 miles just to see a doctor. These failures have devastating 
consequences. Harmony Ball Stribling of Humphreys County, nine months 
pregnant, died on the way to the nearest hospital because the one that 
could have saved her closed years earlier. When a mass shooting 
devastated a rural Mississippi Delta town during the 2025 homecoming 
season, victims were rushed to a hospital that often operates with 
limited staff and what it needed. Rural America is being left behind. 
Access is shrinking, costs are rising, and entire counties are without 
essential care. My constituents are scared, frustrated, and tired of 
being treated like their lives do not matter. We must act now to 
protect the health, safety, and dignity of every rural family.

                          ____________________