Ways and Means Committee Seeks Broad Stakeholder Input on Addressing Chronic Disparities in Access to Health Care in Rural and Underserved Communities

Press Release

"Patients across America are facing increasing health care facility closures, travel distances, and wait times, driven by a shrinking health care workforce, health care consolidation, and patchwork financing models. This access challenge is uniquely difficult for patients and families living in rural and underserved areas in America… The Committee will identify how geographic barriers, misaligned Medicare payment incentives, and consolidation may be driving facility closures and workforce shortages -- hurting overall access to health care -- while innovative care models and technology are improving such care. The Committee is seeking broad stakeholder input on these policy areas, with an emphasis on solutions to reshape our nation's health care system and bring new access to care in rural and underserved areas. Simply extending the broken status quo is insufficient. Instead, the Committee will explore bold new solutions to incentivize access to care and improve our nation's health for future generations."

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