WASHINGTON  -  U.S. Representative Jo Ann Emerson (MO-08) today announced that she is satisfied with the amount of rural health care funding restored to the Labor-HHS Appropriations Conference Report and will support the bill.  The additional funding of over $90 million will go for medical research, training and education in rural areas, as well as supporting rural health care facilities.

 

“Our biggest challenge in rural health care is training and keeping medical professionals. Doctors, nurses and medical technicians are critical to the administration of quality care in sparsely-populated regions of the country.  There is a direct link between the programs increased in the bill and overall health in rural communities,” Emerson said.  “It is difficult to deal with a medical emergency when you live 60 miles from the nearest hospital or clinic.  You see the doctor less often for preventative care, have to wait longer for an ambulance and, for senior citizens especially, you can be cut off from the medical attention you might need,” Emerson said.

 

Emerson voted against a previous version of the spending legislation because of low or absent levels of funding for rural health programs that directly affect her Southern Missouri district.

 

“I’m glad the conferees have added this important funding to the bill.  They deserve a great deal of credit to listening to the concerns of members from rural areas and addressing these important programs.  Rural health care demands a firm commitment from Congress because rural Americans deserve a standard of care.  We cannot fund these programs less and less when the rural population is aging more and more,” Emerson said.

 

The following description of the funds was released yesterday by the House Committee on Appropriations:

 

Office of Rural Health Research and Policy — The Conference Report restores $9 million in funding for this important office within Health and Human Services which ensures that Rural America has a coordinated voice on national rural health issues.  In addition, the office plays a critical role in disseminating information to ensure rural citizens can make informed decisions about the new Medicare benefits.  This funding was not included in the original conference report and would provide the same amount as last year’s level and the budget request. 

  

Rural Health Outreach Grants — The Conference Report adds $28.5 million for Rural Health Outreach Grants, restoring funding to last year’s level.  The program received $10.8 million in the original conference report level and the President’s budget request.  This program is one the few federal grant programs that is solely focused on providing targeted, flexible resources to support innovative rural health solutions in communities across the country. 

 

Area Health Education Centers — The Conference Report restores funding for Area Health Education Centers to $29 million, the same as last year’s level.  The program received only $2 million in the original version of the conference report and nothing in the President’s budget request.  These centers provide education and training to health care professionals in community settings while encouraging them to work in rural areas. 

 

Medical Training — The Conference Report increases funding for several important program that encourage training and expand educational opportunities for current and future health care professionals.  Training in Primary Care and Dentistry will receive $13 million above the original conference report for a total of $41 million.  The President’s budget requested no funds for this program.  Scholarships for Disadvantaged Students are increased by $12 million over the original conference report for a total $47 million, the same as last year’s level and $37 million above the President’s budget request.  The Faculty Loan Repayment program is restored to last year’s level, $600,000 over the original version and $1.3 million above the budget request. 

 

Community Health Centers — Rural areas benefit greatly from the services provided by
Community Health Centers.  This year, Community Health Centers received a generous $66 million increase in a very lean budget climate.  In addition, over the last five years, Congress has increased Community Health Centers by 48% or $565 million.  Almost 50% of the patients served in the $1.8B community health center program live in rural areas.