A resolution designating November 21, 2024, as "National Rural Health Day".

[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 909 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]

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118th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 909

    Designating November 21, 2024, as ``National Rural Health Day''.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   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--

    (1) mission-minded health professionals to provide individualized care 
to patients and entire communities; and

    (2) fueling innovations in rural health infrastructure, quality, and 
delivery of health care;

Whereas rural health care providers are--

    (1) uniquely positioned to provide value-based holistic care; and

    (2) 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
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) designates November 21, 2024, as ``National Rural 
        Health Day'';
            (2) recognizes and supports the goals and ideals of 
        National Rural Health Day;
            (3) celebrates rural health care providers and the millions 
        of individuals in the United States that rural health care 
        providers serve; and
            (4) expresses a commitment to advancing policies to improve 
        health care accessibility and affordability in rural areas of 
        the United States.
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