Congressional Budget for the United States Government for Fiscal Year 2010

Floor Speech

CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET FOR THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2010 -- (Senate - April 01, 2009)

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AMENDMENT NO. 799

Mr. BENNET. Madam President, I rise to discuss amendment No. 799 that prioritizes small towns and rural communities in Colorado and all over this Nation at a time when so many there do not have sufficient access to quality, affordable health care. My amendment establishes a reserve fund that addresses inequalities in Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement that fall most harshly on rural areas.

I thank Senator Roberts of Kansas for his strong support on this issue. Rural health disparities are truly a bipartisan issue, and I am honored that the distinguished Senator has cosponsored this amendment. I also thank Senator Lincoln of Arkansas for her cosponsorship. I ask unanimous consent to print letters of support for my amendment in the Congressional Record following my remarks.

The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

(See exhibit 1.)

Mr. BENNET. The current system disadvantages rural areas in primary care and outpatient services, hospitals, and the supply of providers in the workforce. The problem is truly widespread. In Colorado, almost 75 percent of the counties are considered rural. Health care providers in our rural communities are under enormous pressure to provide broad access to quality health care. They need our help. My amendment can open doors to reducing these disparities. It is important to know that this amendment is written to ensure deficit-neutrality as well. Thus, it is fiscally responsible.

Colorado, like many other States, has a strong backbone of rural communities that work with the limited resources they have. For years, there have been payment disparities between rural and urban areas in Medicare and Medicaid. This imbalance only discourages providers from staying in rural communities and underfunds hospitals that serve as a safety-net for a majority of my population.

Over 90 percent of Colorado counties are considered health professional shortage areas. These areas are severely underserved. They lack an adequate workforce. For example, six counties in Colorado do not have a full-time primary care physician. Fourteen counties do not even have a hospital. We will work hard to ensure that every family has insurance coverage, but this alone will not lead to access to health care services. Small communities need doctors and nurses, along with many other providers. Yet it must be worth their while to take new Medicare and Medicaid patients. Understanding this reality is critical if we are to improve our health care system.

My amendment would highlight that future health care legislation should address rural disparities in a deficit-neutral way. I thank the chairman for all his good work on this budget resolution. I urge support from all my colleagues on this issue and the chairman's thoughtful, important underlying legislation.

I yield the floor.

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