{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://harshbarger.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-diana-harshbarger-marks-successful-kickoff-event-bipartisan-rural-health", "Rep. Diana Harshbarger Marks Successful Kickoff Event of the Bipartisan Rural Health Caucus", "2023-09-25", "2023", "2023-09", "Republican", "House", "TN", "Diana Harshbarger", "H001086", "harshbarger.house.gov", "harshbarger", "https://harshbarger.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. - Last week, the Chairs of the Congressional Bipartisan Rural Health Caucus, Representative Diana Harshbarger (R-TN) and Representative Jill Tokuda (D-HI), held a kick-off event marking its formal launch. The event received wide participation, including caucus members Rep. Glenn \u201cGT\u201d Thompson (R-PA), Rep. Susan Wild (D-PA), Rep. Carol Miller (R-WV), Rep. Andrea Salinas (D-OR), Rep. Nikki Budzinski (D-IL), Rep. James C. Moylan (R-GU), and Rep. Melanie Stansbury (D-NM).\n\nThe event also featured remarks by Carrie Cochran-McClain, Chief Policy Officer of the National Rural Health Association (NRHA).\n\n\u201cAs a community pharmacist in East Tennessee for over 30 years, I understand the health care issues faced by rural communities,\u201d said Congresswoman Diana Harshbarger. \u201cI was proud to join my fellow co-chair, Representative Jill Tokuda, and our congressional colleagues to highlight the needs of patients and health care professionals in rural and remote areas. I look forward to working with my counterparts to address issues such as workforce shortages, medical supply scarcities, limited access to care, and other health care challenges to improve patient outcomes.\u201d\n\n\u201cRepublicans and Democrats from across the country came together to share health care issues impacting their districts,\u201d said Representative Jill Tokuda (HI-02). \u201cFrom increasing mental health needs to expanding broadband to support telehealth and addressing provider shortages, it\u2019s clear that while our districts vary in location and demographic, we are united in the fight to improve health care access. We agree that Congress must do more to target resources to address the health disparities in rural and remote communities. I am proud to co-lead the Bipartisan Rural Health Caucus with my esteemed colleague, Rep. Harshbarger, and look forward to continuing this important work together.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe National Rural Health Association (NRHA) applauds Representatives Tokuda and Harshbarger for relaunching the Congressional Bipartisan Rural Health Caucus, and for all the participating members for their advocacy on rural health issues. The Caucus will be a great opportunity to bring critical issues facing rural providers and patients to the forefront and develop solutions. NRHA is excited to work closely with the Rural Health Caucus and advance rural health priorities in Congress,\u201d said Alan Morgan, Chief Executive Officer of the National Rural Health Association.\n\n\u201cHaving spent nearly 30 years in health care before coming to Congress, I am acutely aware of the many challenges facing rural communities,\u201d Rep. Glenn \u201cGT\u201d Thompson (PA-15) said. \u201cThe Rural Health Care Caucus will raise awareness about the unique issues my constituents, and others in rural America, face when accessing medical services. I will always use my voice in Congress to support policies that improve access to quality health care services, and I look forward to working with my colleagues to address these challenges.\u201d\n\n\u201cI\u2019m excited to work with my colleagues, Republicans and Democrats, to address barriers to accessing quality health care in rural areas across the country,\u201d said Congresswoman Susan Wild (PA-07). \u201cWhether it\u2019s advocating for fair reimbursement rates for rural hospitals, or pushing to protect the 340B drug pricing program, I\u2019ll continue pushing to make sure that everyone\u2014no matter where they live\u2014can access the quality, affordable care they need to stay healthy.\u201d\n\n\u201cHaving access to affordable health care is the difference between life and death for many rural Americans,\u201d said Congresswoman Miller (WV-01). \u201cIt is unacceptable that all West Virginian\u2019s don\u2019t have quality health care available to them when they need it. I am looking forward to working with the Bipartisan Rural Health Caucus on health care policies that will provide quality care in our communities, prioritize our health care workforce, and educate members of Congress on why rural America needs better and more accessible health care.\u201d\n\n\"Every American deserves to have access to affordable, high-quality health care, no matter where they live,\" said Congresswoman Budzinski (IL-13). \"I'm excited to help launch the Bipartisan Rural Health Care Caucus to focus on addressing the challenges too many of my constituents face in receiving the care they need.\"\n\n\u201cNo one should have to travel for hours through treacherous terrain to see a doctor. But for so many in rural Oregon, this is simply reality,\u201d said Rep. Andrea Salinas (OR-06). \u201cThat\u2019s why I\u2019m proud to be a founding member of the Rural Health Care Caucus. Together, we will find ways to increase access to quality, affordable health care \u2013 including mental health care \u2013 for our rural communities. As Oregon continues to experience an unprecedented mental health and substance use crisis, it\u2019s even more critical that we address these issues now. I\u2019m excited to get to work, and I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to unite behind this caucus and its important mission.\u201d\n\nThe Caucus, which currently has 34 members, provides a forum for Members of Congress to advocate for legislation and policy actions that improve access to quality, affordable health care and mental health services for people living in rural and remote communities across the country.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T00:37:48Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://harshbarger.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-diana-harshbarger-marks-successful-kickoff-event-bipartisan-rural-health"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 2.167819067835808, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}