Rep. Miller Cosponsors Legislation that Focuses on Hospitals in Rural America.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Carol Miller (R-WV) joined Representatives Ronny Jackson (R-TX), Derek Kilmer (D-WA) and 21 of their colleagues in co-sponsoring the bipartisan Rural Hospital Technical Assistance Program Act which will provide support to hospitals in rural America. This bill will make permanent a program under the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) that provides technical assistance for rural hospitals to help prevent closures, strengthens essential healthcare services in rural communities, and improves financial and operational performance.
 
“Hospitals, health care workers, and patients in rural West Virginia deserve the same benefits and assistance like any other hospital across the United States,” said Congresswoman Miller. “Bipartisan bills such as this make sure hospitals are provided with the resources they need to deliver the best care for patients in rural communities. Keeping our rural hospitals open ensures access to health care services for all Americans and is my number one priority in Congress.”
 
“From my career as a physician and my experience growing up in West Texas, I understand the importance of rural health care. While rural America faces many challenges, health care must be immediately addressed,” said Congressman Jackson. “The rural hospital closure crisis continues to intensify with more than 500 rural hospitals nationwide vulnerable to closures soon, and Texas’ Thirteenth Congressional District is home to more rural hospitals than any other district in the state. My district has seen first-hand the challenges faced by rural hospitals, with Bowie Hospital closing in 2020 and Chillicothe Hospital closing in 2019. Programs like the one created by the Rural Hospital Technical Assistance Program Act are vital to ensuring rural America continues to have access to quality care, which is why I am proud to introduce this legislation along with Congressman Kilmer to help prevent rural hospitals from shutting their doors and ensure that rural communities have access to the care they need.”
 
 “Having been born and raised on the Olympic Peninsula, I grew up a long way from the most well-equipped hospitals in Seattle. But no matter who you are or where you’re from, you ought to be able to find quality health care close to home,” said Congressman Kilmer. “It's time for Congress to step up and make sure folks in rural America can get medical help without traveling far from home and without going broke. The bipartisan Rural Hospital Technical Assistance Program Act is about keeping facilities like Olympic Medical Center and Jefferson Healthcare and others up and running. And it’s about improving care in rural America where the need is greatest.”
 
Joining Representatives Miller, Jackson, and Kilmer are Representatives Ryan Zinke (R-MT), Jill Tokuda (D-HI), Jodey Arrington (R-TX), Ann Kuster (D-NH), Lauren Boebert (R-CO), Terri Sewell (D-AL), Pete Sessions (R-TX), Jerry Carl (R-AL), Kim Schrier (D-WA), Tracey Mann (R-KS), Susan Wild (D-PA), Marie Glusenkamp Perez (D-WA), Doug LaMalfa (R-CA), Val T. Hoyle (D-OR), Brittany Petersen (D-CO), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Rick Larsen (D-WA), August Pfluger (R-TX), Nikki Budzinski (D-IL), Donald Davis (D-NC), and David Trone (D-MD).

Click here for bill text.