Press Releases

Yesterday, Representative Jack Bergman addressed his colleagues in the House on the needs of rural health care, particularly in the First District of Michigan. He advocated for greater support and resources for those providers that serve as the linchpin of care for remote areas.

Rep. Bergman detailed the vital role of rural health providers and the predicament they often face, “Health care providers in areas like Michigan’s First District work every day to provide the best possible care for patients while overcoming struggles unlike anything facing those in urban or suburban regions. Unfortunately, we have seen a significant increase in rural provider closures, and many of those still operating today are doing so at the razor’s edge of financial stability.”

Noting his legislative efforts to assist rural health providers, he continued, "In my own district, Ontonagon Aspirus Hospital ended all hospital and emergency room operations earlier this year and consolidated into a rural health clinic. 

"In 2020, Congress took an important step to address this crisis by creating the 'Rural Emergency Hospital,' or REH designation. Under this designation, rural hospitals receive direct financial support – more than $3 million annually – and increased Medicare reimbursement in exchange for maintaining 24-hour emergency departments, as well as observation beds and other key health services.

"However, when Congress created the designation, REHs were not included as eligible facilities under the 340B drug discount program. 340B provides significant revenue for critical access hospitals and other rural providers, helping them improve access to prescription drugs and essential health services in underserved and underinsured areas.

"That is why I introduced H.R. 8144, the Rural 340B Access Act of 2024, along with my colleague from Michigan Congresswoman Debbie Dingell. This bipartisan bill will make a commonsense correction and include facilities under the Rural Emergency Hospital designation as eligible for 340B. This will further our work to stop rural hospital closures and ensure patients in rural and remote areas can continue to receive essential emergency care."

Watch his full speech here.