IV 118th CONGRESS 2d Session H. RES. 1594 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES November 21, 2024 Ms. Tokuda (for herself, Mrs. Harshbarger , Mr. Balderson , Ms. Balint , Mr. Bergman , Ms. Bonamici , Ms. Budzinski , Ms. Caraveo , Mr. Carter of Louisiana , Mr. Cline , Mr. Courtney , Ms. Craig , Mr. Davis of North Carolina , Mr. Ezell , Mr. Finstad , Mr. Garamendi , Mr. Graves of Missouri , Ms. Hoyle of Oregon , Mr. Jackson of Illinois , Mr. Johnson of Georgia , Ms. Kelly of Illinois , Mr. Kilmer , Ms. Kuster , Mr. Larsen of Washington , Ms. Lee of Nevada , Ms. Leger Fernandez , Mr. Mann , Ms. McClellan , Mr. Meuser , Mrs. Miller of West Virginia , Mr. Moolenaar , Mr. Pappas , Mr. Pocan , Mr. Rose , Mr. Ruiz , Ms. Salinas , Ms. Scholten , Ms. Sewell , Mr. Smith of Nebraska , Mr. Sorensen , Ms. Spanberger , Ms. Stansbury , Ms. Tenney , Mr. Thompson of Mississippi , Mr. Thompson of Pennsylvania , Mr. Thompson of California , Mr. Trone , Mr. Van Orden , Mr. Vasquez , Ms. Wild , and Mr. LaMalfa ) 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 66,300,000 hard-working 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; 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; 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 uninsured and underinsured rates, lack of reliable transportation or 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 and lower volumes of services spread over fixed costs; Whereas the systemic challenges rural health facilities face makes it increasingly difficult for rural health care facilities to keep their doors open to serve patients; Whereas the systemic challenges rural health facilities face have contributed to 151 rural hospital closures or hospital conversions since 2010; Whereas, nationally, 50 percent of rural hospitals are operating with negative margins and nearly 420 are vulnerable to closure, further demonstrating the need to accelerate efforts to reinforce the rural health safety net; 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

That the House of Representatives— (1) supports the designation of 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.