IV 

118TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION H. RES. 870 

Supporting the goals and ideals of National Rural Health Day. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

NOVEMBER 14, 2023 

Mrs. HARSHBARGER (for herself, Ms. TOKUDA, Mrs. MILLER of West Virginia, Ms. SEWELL, Mr. MOYLAN, Ms. WILD, Mr. SABLAN, Mr. 

MOOLENAAR, Mr. KILMER, Ms. JACKSON LEE, Mr. RUIZ, Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania, Mr. TRONE, Ms. HOYLE of Oregon, Mr. ROSE, Mr. 

BERGMAN, Mr. JOHNSON of South Dakota, Mr. GRAVES of Missouri, Mr. 

SMITH of Nebraska, Mr. DAVIS of North Carolina, Ms. CARAVEO, Ms. 

LEE of Nevada, Ms. BUDZINSKI, Mr. PAPPAS, Mr. ARMSTRONG, Ms. 

SPANBERGER, and Ms. LEGER FERNANDEZ) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce 

RESOLUTION 

Supporting the goals and ideals of National Rural Health 

Day. 

Whereas over 60,000,000 hard-working individuals in the 

United States live in rural communities; 

Whereas, according to the United States Census Bureau, 97 

percent of the total landmass in the United States is designated as ‘‘rural’’; 

Whereas individuals in the United States in rural areas live 

in pursuit of the common good and keep values of the 

United States alive by fostering a spirit of generosity and 

respect among neighbors; 


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•HRES 870 IH 

Whereas rural health care providers and patients showcase a 

selfless and community-minded spirit; 

Whereas rural areas in the United States are places of opportunity for— 

(1) mission-minded health professionals to provide 

individualized care to their communities; and 

(2) fueling innovations in rural health infrastructure, quality, and delivery; 

Whereas health care providers in rural areas are uniquely positioned to deliver value-based holistic care; 

Whereas rural health care providers are known and trusted 

by their patients; 

Whereas residents in rural areas tend to experience lower life 

expectancy and poorer health status due to structural, 

behavioral, and geographic factors; 

Whereas residents in rural areas face barriers to accessing 

health care due to higher rates of uninsurance and 

underinsurance, lack of reliable transportation options, 

often increased exposure to public health and occupational hazards, and a limited number of available providers, especially those providing specialized care; 

Whereas rural health facilities in the United States face systemic challenges, including clinician workforce shortages, 

difficulty accessing certain technologies such as telehealth, and lower volumes of services spread over fixed 

costs; 

Whereas these challenges have made it more difficult for 

rural health care facilities to keep their doors open and 

serve patients, and have contributed to 150 rural hospital 

closures since 2010; 


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•HRES 870 IH 

Whereas National Rural Health Day was established to honor 

rural communities in the United States and the contributions and efforts of rural communities in addressing the 

unique challenges facing rural health care; 

Whereas the National Organization of State Offices of Rural 

Health has recognized National Rural Health Day to be 

the third Thursday of each November since 2011, in collaboration with partners such as the National Rural 

Health Association; and 

Whereas National Rural Health Day will be recognized this 

year on November 16, 2023: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 

2 (1) supports the designation of ‘‘National Rural 

3 Health Day’’; 

4 (2) recognizes and supports the goals and ideals 

5 of National Rural Health Day; 

6 (3) celebrates rural health care providers and 

7 the millions of individuals in the United States that 

8 rural health care providers serve; and 

9 (4) expresses a commitment to advancing poli10 cies to improve health care accessibility and afford11 ability in rural areas of the United States. 

Æ 


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