Rural Hospitals: An Economic Driving Force
Hospitals in rural areas are economic drivers.…
Rural Hospitals:Headed Over the Fiscal Cliff?
The Next Step is a Doozy!
Given the U.S.’ $10 trillion debt, future federal budget austerity and the (2010) enactment (and recent Supreme Court decision about the tax provision of the Affordable Care Act (ACA),) talk in Washington and around the country continues to focus on how to implement policy measures that avoid sending the U.S. over a “fiscal cliff“.
Clearly, in order to correct our current fiscal path, major policy changes will be needed to beneficial programs important to many Americans, including those living in rural areas. Among the top concerns are continuing and improving healthcare in rural areas where hospitals rely heavily on Medicare reimbursement rates. Medicare rates that cannot continue at current levels.
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Bipartisan Support Needed to Improve Rural Healthcare Facilities
With most rural healthcare facilities built under the Hill-Burton Act of 1946, many are in critical need of upgrades or replacement to deliver 21st century health care throughout rural America. Meeting increasing healthcare demands including preventative, palliative and other care services are becoming impossible to provide with limited financial resources and antiquated facilities. And, while…
The Rural Medical Facility Investment & Improvement Act of 2012
To : Rural Hospital Supporters
From : Dr. Lonnie L. Hammargren, M.D.
RE : Federal Rural Hospital Legislation
Dear: Friends:
My name is Dr. Lonnie Hammargren, M.D., having been a decorated Vietnam combat physician, NASA Flight Surgeon, University Regent, Nevada’s 31st Lieutenant Governor and practicing Neurosurgeon for over 40 years, I am writing you today to discuss an important issue regarding our deteriorating rural healthcare system which has resulted in the closure of over 20% of our rural hospitals.
Anyone associated with rural healthcare knows that most of our nation’s 2000 plus rural hospitals were built under the Hill Burton Act of 1946 and surpass 50 years of age. Advancements in patient care and medical technology have outpaced these facilities’ abilities to adapt to 21st Century healthcare making them inefficiently obsolete and cost prohibitive to remodel let alone operate. Many rural hospitals are no longer able to serve their community to its fullest, requiring many rural resident’s to travel long distances to receive even basic healthcare services.…
Benefits to Using a Lobbyist
Many different types of organizations can benefit from using a lobbyist to get their voice heard in government. From Non-Profit Organizations and Associations to large and small for-profit businesses, lobbyists can take your message to Congress and even local and state governments. Lobbyists enable organizations to draft legislation, develop strategies for new regulations, connect and stay informed, and proactively reach out to elected officials prior to new policies being drafted. …
Rural Development & The President’s Jobs Plan
During the President’s speech to a Joint Session of Congress on September 8, he said, “Every proposal I’ve laid out tonight is the kind that’s been supported by Democrats and Republicans in the past.” Typically, the opposition party would be totally dismissive of such remarks, but with the U.S. economy on the ropes and a U.S. electorate demanding action to remedy it, that’s why many congressional Republicans cannot totally dismiss the remarks of the President.
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