I understand the unique needs that face our rural communities and support programs that help rural patients and providers. I have long said that just because you live in a rural area does not mean you should be forced to sacrifice access to high quality health care.
In 2007, I was appointed by the Senate Republican Leader to co-chair the Senate Rural Health Caucus following the passing of my friend and colleague, Senator Craig Thomas of Wyoming. Senator Bob Dole was the last Kansan to chair this caucus in the Senate. The caucus champions rural health care issues in the Senate. We also promote educational activities about the unique challenges we face in rural America.
From this position, I have championed the Rural Hospital and Provider Equity (R-HOPE) Act for several years. This rural health package makes changes to Medicare regulations for rural hospitals and providers, recognizing the difficulty in achieving the same economies of scale as large urban facilities. The proposal also includes changes to lab, ambulance, home health care, hospice and rural clinic Medicare reimbursements.
These are certainly the first steps to strengthening and improving our rural health care system, and it is my hope the continued efforts of the Senate Rural Health Caucus will put rural health care issues at the forefront of health care debates in Congress. I will also continue to support funding for rural health care programs and ensure that our rural hospitals, doctors and other providers have the resources they need to provide quality health care to Kansans.
