Rep. TJ Cox Urges Federal Government to Save Rural Healthcare Facilities
Today, Rep. TJ Cox joined several representatives in signing a bipartisan, bicameral letter urging the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to take the concerns of rural healthcare centers seriously. Despite the fact this crisis has brought more patients in the doors of rural medical facilities than ever before, revenue for rural healthcare providers has nosedived, because of cancelled non-emergency care. This has destabilized core health services in rural America and could close hundreds of rural hospitals around the country. This would leave thousands of rural Americans stranded without healthcare.
Fortunately, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act has set aside $100 billion in order to reimburse eligible health care providers for health care-related expenses or lost revenues that are attributable to COVID-19. This letter, signed by Congressman Cox, urges HHS to make sure that a substantial amount of that funding is given to rural healthcare centers. This would include a 20% rural benchmark put in place in the $100 billion provider fund to make sure that rural healthcare providers can access the funding they need.
“Rural Americans in the Central Valley and across the nation are hit the hardest by public health crises,” said Rep. Cox. “I saw this first-hand as half of the hospitals in my district closed over the past decade. I voted to pass the CARES Act in Congress to help Americans affected by COVID-19, and I will fight to make sure that rural Americans get the support they need.”