Press Releases

Rep. Jack Bergman, joined by colleagues in the Bipartisan Rural Health Caucus, spoke on the House floor in support of First District Rural Healthcare providers across rural and remote areas of Michigan's First District.

Watch Rep. Bergman's speech here, or read it below:

I’m honored to join my colleagues today in highlighting the accomplishments and ongoing challenges facing high-quality health care access in rural and remote parts of the United States.

Health care providers in areas like Michigan’s First District face unique struggles in maintaining financial stability while providing the best possible care – struggles unlike anything facing those in urban or suburban regions.

As a result, we have seen a significant increase in rural clinic and hospital closures over the past decade, and many of those still operating today are doing so at the razor’s edge.

A single provider closing their doors could result in patients having to travel hundreds of miles farther to receive care.

While the situation remains serious, we have seen promising improvements for rural health, especially when it comes to telemedicine.

The pandemic underscored the need for – and efficacy of – telehealth, especially for those in rural areas who would otherwise be forced to travel multiple hours just to receive a routine checkup or consult with their doctor.

Congress must act to permanently extend pandemic telehealth flexibilities, help providers and patients get the tools they need to utilize telemedicine, and continue to reduce government-imposed barriers.

I also want to highlight the importance of the 340B drug pricing program, which provides discounted pharmaceutical products to providers that care for a disproportionate share of uninsured and at-risk patients.

In my district alone, we have twenty 340B hospitals helping care for our most vulnerable patient populations and ensuring our rural and remote communities receive the best possible care available.

The 340B program has been a critical component of healthcare for so many Michiganders since its inception, and I hope to continue working with my colleagues to ensure its lasting success, especially as the program faces new challenges that threatens its integrity.

I know our rural and remote providers will continue to do everything in their power to provide top-of-the-line care to their patients.

And in turn, Congress must continue to address rural health priorities and remove the barriers in the way to their success.