III 118th CONGRESS 1st Session S. RES. 470 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

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.