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[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 470 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]

<DOC>

118th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 470

   Designating November 16th, 2023, as ``National Rural Health Day''.

_______________________________________________________________________

                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

            November 16 (legislative day, November 15), 2023

 Mr. Barrasso (for himself, Ms. Smith, Mrs. Blackburn, Mr. Bennet, Ms. 
 Lummis, Mr. Marshall, Ms. Sinema, Mr. Daines, Ms. Ernst, Mr. Hawley, 
   Mrs. Capito, Mr. Crapo, Mr. Risch, Mr. Thune, Mr. Scott of South 
Carolina, Mr. Lankford, Mr. Ricketts, Mr. Wicker, Mr. Hickenlooper, Mr. 
    Cramer, Mr. Manchin, Mr. Moran, Mr. Tester, Mr. Van Hollen, Mr. 
     Merkley, Mr. Brown, and Mr. Heinrich) submitted the following 
             resolution; which was considered and agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION

 
   Designating November 16th, 2023, as ``National Rural Health Day''.

Whereas over 60,000,000 hardworking individuals in the United States live in 
        rural communities;
Whereas, according to the Bureau of the Census, 97 percent of the total landmass 
        of 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;
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 rural communities; and

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

Whereas health care providers in rural areas are uniquely positioned to provide 
        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 accessing health care due to 
        higher rates of uninsurance and underinsurance, lack of reliable 
        transportation options, 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 the systemic challenges rural health facilities face have contributed to 
        150 rural hospital closures since 2010;
Whereas the systemic challenges rural health facilities face have made it more 
        difficult for all rural health care facilities to keep their doors open 
        and serve patients;
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
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) designates November 16, 2023, as ``National Rural 
        Health Day'';
            (2) recognizes and supports the goals and ideals of 
        National Rural Health Day;
            (3) celebrates rural health care providers and the millions 
        of individuals in the United States that rural health care 
        providers serve; and
            (4) expresses a commitment to advancing policies to improve 
        health care accessibility and affordability in rural areas of 
        the United States.
                                 <all>
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