releases: https://www.heitkamp.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=14817AC8-4740-46F4-8CF5-3825D317BD81
Data license: MIT · Data source: dwillis/congress-press
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| https://www.heitkamp.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=14817AC8-4740-46F4-8CF5-3825D317BD81 | Heitkamp Helps Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Improve Rural Health on National Rural Health Day | 2016-11-17 | 2016 | 2016-11 | Democrat | House | ND | Heidi Heitkamp | H001069 | www.heitkamp.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, D.C. – On National Rural Health Day, U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp today helped unveil a bipartisan bill to help improve rural health care delivery and service, which enable North Dakota’s rural communities to get better access to affordable, quality health care. A member of the U.S. Senate’s Rural Health Care Caucus, Heitkamp joined co-chairs of the caucus, Republican Senator Pat Roberts of Kansas and Democratic Senator Al Franken of Minnesota, as well as Republican Senator John Barrasso of Wyoming in introducing comprehensive legislation to strengthen rural health service and provide relief to hospitals and providers serving rural communities in North Dakota and across the country. By directly addressing concerns Heitkamp has heard from medical professionals, health leaders and advocates across the state on the need to improve rural health delivery, this bill would both incentivize medical professionals to serve in high-need, rural areas and make commonsense regulatory changes that recognize the reality on the ground in rural health care delivery. “Every day I come to the U.S. Senate fighting for rural America, and that includes making sure families living in rural communities can access the quality, affordable health care they deserve,” said Heitkamp. “Our bipartisan bill would make needed changes to address the unique health care needs of small and remote towns in North Dakota and across the country. A one-size-fits-all model for health service doesn’t work for rural communities, and this bill would change that.”Today’s legislation builds on Heitkamp’s work toward policies that make sure the concerns of rural health providers and the communities they serve are heard. In September, Heitkamp helped secure the Jamestown Regional Medical Center’s status as a Critical Access hospital, speaking directly with U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Acting Deputy Secretary Mary Wakefield to reinforce how being a Critical Access facility helps JRMC provide better service to rural communities in the region, and the need for Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to finalize its status. The status of the medical facility was previously considered for revocation because of its proximity to the State Hospital in Jamestown. The Craig Thomas Rural Hospital and Provider Equity Act (R-HoPE), which honors the service of the late Republican Senator Craig Thomas of Wyoming, former chairman of the Senate Rural Health Caucus, would make commonsense changes to Medicare regulations that better recognize the reality on the ground for rural hospitals and providers, and encourage providers to serve high-need communities in rural areas by: Bringing rural hospitals in line with urban facilities by equalizing Medicare’s disproportionate share of hospital payments, and providing additional assistance for small, rural hospitals that have a low-volume of patients. Often, these hospitals have trouble making ends meet under the Medicare payment system. Extending incentive payments for doctors who practice in rural areas and protecting the availability of other health care providers – such as rural health clinics, home health agencies, ambulances and mental health professionals. Helping rural facilities improve crumbling buildings and infrastructure by providing a Capital Infrastructure Loan Program to make loans available to them. Rural providers would be able to apply to receive planning grants to help assess capital and infrastructure needs. Prioritizing the work of family therapists by making sure family therapists can be compensated by Medicare just as licensed professional counselors are able to, and that they can be compensated at the rate of social workers – a provision championed by the late Senator Thomas. Encouraging the use of home monitoring and communications technologies by creating a pilot program that provides incentives for home health agencies to purchase and use these technologies. Facilitating telehealth services across state lines. Long a champion of the need for improved access to health care, Heitkamp has consistently worked to bring attention to the priorities of rural communities in America’s heartland in the U.S. Senate.Heitkamp joined with U.S. Senator Al Franken (D-MN) in July to introduce a series of bills that would improve access to health service information and facilities, identify health care workforce needs, and boost the quality of health services provided in rural areas. This package of legislation builds on the work Heitkamp has done, including bringing HHS Acting Deputy Secretary Dr. Mary Wakefield – a North Dakota native – to Mayville where they met with rural health care providers and experts to discuss the health care needs in rural communities. In February, Heitkamp successfully pushed to create the Rural Health Council within the Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Services that will put greater emphasis on rural health care when federal rules are written. Heitkamp has consistently worked with her U.S. Senate colleagues on both sides of the aisles to encourage the Administration to considered the impact of federal health policies in rural communities and has supported two bills that would make sure federal regulations do not create an undue burden for rural health care. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z |