III 

★(Star Print)

118TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION S. RES. 909 

Designating November 21, 2024, as ‘‘National Rural Health Day’’. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

NOVEMBER 21, 2024 

Mr. BARRASSO (for himself, Ms. SMITH, Mrs. BLACKBURN, Mr. BENNET, Mr. 

DAINES, Mr. CRAPO, Mr. LANKFORD, Mr. CRAMER, Ms. SINEMA, Mr. 

HICKENLOOPER, Mr. RISCH, Mr. MERKLEY, Ms. ERNST, Mr. SCOTT of 

South Carolina, Mr. BOOZMAN, Mr. MARSHALL, Mr. MANCHIN, Mrs. 

CAPITO, Mr. WELCH, Ms. LUMMIS, Mr. MULLIN, Mr. HOEVEN, Mr. 

THUNE, Ms. KLOBUCHAR, Mrs. HYDE-SMITH, Mr. WYDEN, Ms. COLLINS, Mr. WICKER, Mr. WARNOCK, Mr. WARNER, Mr. ROUNDS, and Mrs. 

BRITT) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and 

agreed to 

RESOLUTION 

Designating November 21, 2024, as ‘‘National Rural Health 

Day’’. 

Whereas over 66,300,000 hardworking individuals in the 

United States live in rural communities; 

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; 


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SRES 909 ATS1S 

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

(1) mission-minded health professionals to provide 

individualized care to patients and entire communities; 

and 

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

Whereas rural health care providers are— 

(1) uniquely positioned to provide value-based holistic care; and 

(2) known and trusted by their patients; 

Whereas rural residents tend to experience lower life expectancy and poorer health status due to structural, behavioral, and geographic factors; 

Whereas rural residents face barriers to accessing health care 

due to a shortage of primary and specialized health care 

providers, lack of reliable transportation or transportation options, increased exposure to public health and 

occupational hazards, and higher rates of uninsured and 

underinsured individuals; 

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

and lower volumes of services spread over fixed costs; 

Whereas the systemic challenges rural health facilities face 

have contributed to 150 rural hospital closures or hospital conversions since 2010; 

Whereas 50 percent of rural hospitals in the United States 

are operating with negative margins and nearly 420 rural 

hospitals are vulnerable to closure, further demonstrating 

the need to accelerate efforts to reinforce the rural health 

safety net; 


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SRES 909 ATS1S 

Whereas the systemic challenges rural health facilities face 

make it increasingly difficult for rural health care facilities to keep their doors open to 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 21, 2024: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the Senate— 

2 (1) designates November 21, 2024, 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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