WASHINGTON, D.C. – In honor of the many dedicated rural health care workers who provide reliable care to patients across rural America, the United States Senate has declared November 21, 2024, National Rural Health Day.

The bipartisan resolution was introduced by U.S. Senators John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), and Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), co-chairs of the Senate Rural Health Caucus.

The resolution passed the Senate unanimously and expresses a continued commitment to advancing policies that improve health care access and affordability for rural communities across the country.

“Rural health clinics and frontier hospitals throughout Wyoming and across the West have a long record of ensuring our patients in rural areas receive the care they need close to home,” said Senator Barrasso. “As a doctor, one of my top priorities is ensuring all patients have access to high-quality care wherever they live. Our resolution honors the hard work of providers in rural communities and reinforces Congress’ bipartisan support of their work to serve patients in Wyoming.”

“Health care is a human right. Everyone deserves affordable, high quality health care no matter where they live,” said Senator Smith. “On National Rural Health Day, we recognize that rural families face unique challenges accessing health care and continue the fight to make sure rural communities can access the care they deserve, when and where they need it.”

“70 of Tennessee’s 95 counties are rural, making rural health care critical for saving lives,” said Senator Blackburn. “National Rural Health Day highlights both the vital importance of rural health care and the ongoing challenges facing these communities. In the U.S. Senate, I will continue to champion my bipartisan Rural Health Agenda, which would help ensure quality and affordable health care for rural Tennesseans.”

“From aging infrastructure to staffing shortages - rural Coloradans face many challenges to access quality health care. National Rural Health Day is an opportunity for us to shed light on the barriers they face and recommit to making sure every American can access the care they need,” said Senator Bennet.

“During National Rural Health Day, Evanston Regional proudly celebrates the vital, compassionate care provided in our rural areas surrounding Evanston, WY. Earning national recognition as a Top 20 Rural and Community Hospital in 2023 and 2024 is a testament to the dedication of the hospital and medical staff in meeting our community's unique needs. We are neighbors, friends, and family at Evanston Regional Hospital. We work together to care for those we love most. We've worked tirelessly to bring diverse and essential services, such as an Infusion Center and Behavioral Health, Cardiology, Pain Management, Pulmonology, Endocrinology, and Urology care closer to home. Despite rural hospitals' unique challenges, we are committed to providing quality healthcare close to home and positively impact our patients' lives.” – Cheri Willard, Chief Executive Officer, Evanston Regional Hospital

This resolution is also co-sponsored by U.S. Senators Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Kyrsten Sinema (I-Ariz.), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Tim Scott (R-S.C.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Joe Manchin (I-W.Va.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), John Thune (R-S.D.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), and Katie Britt (R-Ala.).

Full text of the resolution can be found here.

###