Senators Look To Extend Program Focused On Rural Healthcare

Oregon senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley have introduced legislation extending what they call a key rural healthcare program for five years.

The Rural Community Hospital Demonstration helps keep small hospitals open by covering the full cost of Medicare inpatient services, including rooms, meals, and nursing care.

“Rural communities in Oregon and throughout America need and deserve access to quality health care,” Wyden said. “This proven program has bipartisan support because it works to help provide that care for rural families and to support rural economies.” 

“Rural communities face unique hurdles in providing and accessing basic health care, which is why we must fight to preserve the programs that support care for these families,” Merkley added. “As rural hospitals in Oregon and across the nation face even more challenges, our bipartisan effort will protect funding for rural hospitals nationwide, ensuring Oregonians in all corners of our state can access the care they need and deserve.”

Idaho’s Mike Crapo has also signed on to the bipartisan bill.

Click Here to read the legislation.

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