III 

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; 


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•SRES 470 ATS 

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; 


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•SRES 470 ATS 

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 

1 Resolved, That the Senate— 

2 (1) designates November 16, 2023, as ‘‘Na3 tional Rural 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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