On March 13, Paul Moore testified on behalf of the NRHA before the House Appropriations Committee, Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and related agencies.

Moore, NRHA president and rural community pharmacist, focused his testimony on the rural health safety net, a group of programs within the Department of Health and Human Services that strengthen and build upon our rural health delivery system. The rural health safety net includes Community Health Centers, Rural Health Outreach and Network Grants, State Offices of Rural Health, Rural Hospital Flexibility Grants and other programs that provide a much-needed investment in the future of rural health. Moore also discussed the importance of the Title VII and Title VIII programs in the Public Health Service Act, which supports health professionals and nursing education.

To read the full testimony, go to click here.

 

Rural Health Safety Net Funding Update – House and Senate Pass Budget Resolution and Opportunity to Take Action

On Thursday, March 13, both the House and Senate adopted budget resolution that sets the policy framework for spending money throughout the year.  In addition, the resolution set the dollar amounts that the Appropriations Committee can spend on the different bills.  For Health spending, which includes the rural health safety net, the Senate would increase the overall amount by $5.27 billion and the House increased the amount by $4.438 billion.  This should provide enough money for programs that we monitor to see increases; however, it is unlikely that President will allow these funding increases.

The budget numbers will now go to the Appropriations Committees for them to actually set the funding numbers.  It is therefore vital that you help us put pressure on the Appropriations Committees by asking your Representative and Senators to sign on to a letter asking for funding for the rural health safety net.  Both the House Rural Health Care Coalition and the Senate Rural Health Caucus are sending a letter to the Appropriations Committee.  Please contact your members today and ask for their support.  You can do this by going to http://capwiz.com/nrha/issues/alert/?alertid=11124556.

State-Specific Appropriations Information

To see information on funding received by your state, click here.

President's FY 2009 Budget Request Devastating to Rural America

February 4th, President Bush sent his budget request for the Fiscal Year 2009 Federal Budget of the United States Government.  Unsurprisingly but still disappointedly, for the 5th year in a row, the President requested devastating cuts for programs that help to keep rural America healthy.  President Bush again eliminates successful programs like health professions training programs, Outreach and Network grants and the Flex program.  In addition, President Bush would cut over $100 billion in Medicare and Medicaid payments over five years. 

NRHA staff would like to make clear that the President’s budget request, while mandated annually, is largely a formality.  Constitutionally, Congress decides how and what to spend money on and this Congress is unlikely to embrace the President’s numbers.  However, some of the President’s proposed cuts to Medicare and Medicaid may be done regulatorily – the NRHA will be working with its partners in Congress and other associations to make sure this does not adversely impact rural America.

To view the updated appropriations chart, click here.