Leaders at the American Heart Association (AHA) recently held a forum on Capitol Hill about the progress that needs to be made for hospitals located in rural areas across the U.S.
The Rural Hospital Policy Forum included Rick Pollack, president and CEO of AHA; congressional staff; senators; and AHA teams. Pollack presented an update about the legislative priorities for leaders of rural hospitals. He also prioritized the important passage of rural legislation in 2016.
Among the participants, Sens. Ron Wyden (D-OR), a ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee; John Tester (D-MT); and Pat Roberts (R-KS), co-chair of the Senate Rural Health Caucus, stated that they will offer their support to all rural and small hospitals in the U.S.
In addition, senior staff members of the Senate Finance and House Ways and Means committees joined a panel discussion with Tom Nickels, the AHA executive vice president. They focused on rural hospital concerns.
Finally, staff from the AHA offered updates about the agency’s Task Force on Ensuring Access in Vulnerable Communities. In fall 2016, the force will provide recommendations for improving and stabilizing the accessibility of health care services to communities that are vulnerable, which can only be accomplished with legislative motions.
