III
118th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. RES. 909
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
November 21, 2024
Mr. Barrasso (for himself, Ms. Smith, Mrs. Blackburn, Mr. Bennet, Mr. Daines, Mr. Crapo, Mr. Lankford, Mr. Cramer, Ms. Sinema, Mr. Hickenlooper, Mr. Risch, Mr. Merkley, Ms. Ernst, Mr. Scott of South Carolina, Mr. Boozman, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Manchin, Mrs. Capito, Mr. Welch, Ms. Lummis, Mr. Mullin, Mr. Hoeven, Mr. Thune, Ms. Klobuchar, Mrs. Hyde-Smith, Mr. Wyden, Ms. Collins, Mr. Wicker, Mr. Warnock, Mr. Warner, Mr. Rounds, and Mrs. Britt) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to
RESOLUTION
Designating November 21, 2024, as National Rural Health Day
.
Whereas over 66,300,000 hardworking individuals in the United States live in rural communities;
Whereas individuals in the United States in rural areas live in pursuit of the common good and keep values of the United States alive by fostering a spirit of generosity and respect among neighbors;
Whereas rural health care providers and patients showcase a selfless and community-minded spirit;
Whereas rural areas in the United States are places of opportunity for—
mission-minded health professionals to provide individualized care to patients and entire communities; and
fueling innovations in rural health infrastructure, quality, and delivery of health care;
Whereas rural health care providers are—
uniquely positioned to provide value-based holistic care; and
known and trusted by their patients;
Whereas rural residents tend to experience lower life expectancy and poorer health status due to structural, behavioral, and geographic factors;
Whereas rural residents face barriers to accessing health care due to a shortage of primary and specialized health care providers, lack of reliable transportation or transportation options, increased exposure to public health and occupational hazards, and higher rates of uninsured and underinsured individuals;
Whereas rural health facilities in the United States face systemic challenges, including clinician workforce shortages and lower volumes of services spread over fixed costs;
Whereas the systemic challenges rural health facilities face have contributed to 150 rural hospital closures or hospital conversions since 2010;
Whereas 50 percent of rural hospitals in the United States are operating with negative margins and nearly 420 rural hospitals are vulnerable to closure, further demonstrating the need to accelerate efforts to reinforce the rural health safety net;
Whereas the systemic challenges rural health facilities face make it increasingly difficult for rural health care facilities to keep their doors open to serve patients;
Whereas National Rural Health Day was established to honor rural communities in the United States and the contributions and efforts of rural communities in addressing the unique challenges facing rural health care;
Whereas the National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health has recognized National Rural Health Day to be the third Thursday of each November since 2011, in collaboration with partners such as the National Rural Health Association; and
Whereas National Rural Health Day will be recognized this year on November 21, 2024: Now, therefore, be it
That the Senate—
designates November 21, 2024, as National Rural Health Day
;
recognizes and supports the goals and ideals of National Rural Health Day;
celebrates rural health care providers and the millions of individuals in the United States that rural health care providers serve; and
expresses a commitment to advancing policies to improve health care accessibility and affordability in rural areas of the United States.