Scott, Colleagues Introduce Rural Healthcare Bill

WASHINGTON — This week, U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) was joined by Senators Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Cynthis Lummis (R-Wyo.) and Tim Kaine (D-Va.) in introducing legislation to reauthorize rural health outreach services programs that were signed into law under President Trump in 2020. The Improving Care in Rural America Reauthorization Act would ensure that local rural needs are prioritized in grant awards by requiring community involvement in the planning and implementation of projects to ensure services are tailored to local needs.  

“The 43 percent higher mortality rate in rural communities is not just a statistic, it represents our neighbors, our families, and fellow Americans who deserve equal access to quality healthcare,” said Senator Scott. “By reauthorizing these critical health service outreach programs, we are helping to close the gap and prevent these communities from being left behind.”

“When I meet with families, farmers, businesses and community leaders in greater Minnesota, one of the first issues that comes up is health care,” said Senator Smith.“Rural communities often face increased barriers to medical services, including staff shortages and lack of federal funding. The Improving Care in Rural America Act continues the important progress we’ve made in providing these small towns and rural communities with the resources they need to support appropriate care for all.”

“The people of Wyoming should not have to travel far for quality care,” said Senator Lummis. “The Improving Care in Rural America Reauthorization Act ensures rural clinics will continue to be funded and equipped to provide patient-centered services from corner to corner of the Cowboy State. Wyoming faces unique healthcare challenges, and I am proud to champion tailored solutions by reauthorizing this vital grant program to make medical services more accessible throughout my state.”

“Across Virginia and throughout the U.S., rural communities often face unique challenges that lead to reduced or even nonexistent access to lifesaving medical care,” said Senator Kaine. “Especially at a time when our rural health providers are grappling with severe budget cuts that could force them to close their doors, I urge all of my colleagues to join us in passing this bipartisan legislation to reauthorize key federal grants that support rural health care.”

This bill reauthorizes three key programs under the Public Health Service Act through FY2030:

• Rural Healthcare Services Grants 
• Rural Health Network Grants 
• Small Healthcare Provider Quality Improvement Grants 

A version of the bill was also introduced in the House by Congressmen, Earl Carter (R-GA), Shomari Figures (D-AL), Michael Rulli (R-OH), and Kim Schrier, M.D. (D-WA).

Background:

• Geographic isolation, workforce shortages, transportation barriers, facility closures, and inadequate insurance coverage create substantial obstacles to accessing essential medical services in rural communities. 
• These systemic barriers have resulted in unmet healthcare needs that translate into a devastating 43% higher mortality rate for rural residents compared to their urban and suburban counterparts. 
• The Improving Care in Rural America Reauthorization Act would address critical gaps by reauthorizing programs that would lead to:
  • Increased access to healthcare services and preventative screenings 
  • Improved chronic disease management and health outcomes 
  • Expanded telehealth services 
  • Reduced emergency room visits for nearly 500,000 individuals who receive direct services for these programs every year. 

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