OFFICIALS LEGISLATION INTEREST GROUPS PUBLIC STATEMENTS COMMITTEES VETOES

Rural Health

Floor Speech

Date: Nov. 21, 2013
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Health and Health Care

Mr. SMITH of Nebraska. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge National Rural Health Day.

The Third District of Nebraska spans 75 counties and contains hundreds of small towns and over 50 critical-access hospitals. The providers who serve these communities face many challenges without the heavy hand of government.

In particular, I am concerned about physician supervision regulations which may be released by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services later this month. Physicians, nurses, and ancillary staff in rural facilities are highly trained and experienced in determining the appropriate level of patient care.

Failure to allow practitioners the necessary discretion to manage care administration may actually limit the access to basic services and could further discourage physicians from seeking rural positions.

I will continue to fight to ensure our rural communities maintain access to the quality care, and I appreciate the opportunity to recognize National Rural Health Day.


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