[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 160 (2014), Part 11]
[House]
[Page 16002]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       NATIONAL RURAL HEALTH DAY

  (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, which is tomorrow, November 20.
  The Third District of Nebraska contains over 50 Critical Access 
Hospitals. Rural hospitals are vital to rural areas. These facilities 
provide crucial care to some of our most elderly and vulnerable 
populations.
  Recent reports have stated these facilities are facing a 
disproportionate rate in closures. This year alone, 43 rural hospitals 
have closed nationwide. Because of ObamaCare, we are seeing the 
beginning of deep cuts to Medicare beneficiaries, which is a major 
patient population for these rural facilities.
  Rural hospitals are also having to deal with arbitrary regulations, 
such as physician supervision and a 96-hour pre-certification rule. 
These facilities simply do not have the power to abide by these 
regulations while continuing to provide affordable and efficient health 
care.
  I will continue to fight to ensure our rural communities maintain 
access to quality care, and I appreciate the opportunity to recognize 
National Rural Health Day.

                          ____________________