Rep. Kind to Chair Rural Health Care Coalition
Wisconsin Ag Connection - 02/06/2013
Wisconsin Congressman Ron Kind has been selected to lead a bipartisan group of federal lawmakers who will focus on improving access to health care in rural communities. As a member of the House Ways and Means Committee health subcommittee, the La Crosse Democrat will chair the Rural Health Care
Coalition in the House of Representatives for the coming two years.
"We have some of the best rural health care providers in the country right in our own backyard," said Rep. Kind. "I am proud to have worked hard on their behalf during my time in office and look forward to the bipartisan progress we will be able to make as a coalition. I will continue to advocate for legislation that gives rural hospitals and clinics the support they need and increases access to the care they provide."
During a recent speech at the National Rural Health Association's annual policy institute, Kind addressed the importance of rural hospitals for both patient access and economic development, the potential impact of impending indiscriminate cuts on rural providers, and legislation he is authoring to provide more
flexibility to rural hospitals to better care for their communities. He also met with members of Wisconsin's Rural Health Association to discuss issues the Badger State is facing in the area of rural care.
Kind was recognized as 2011 Legislator of the Year by the National Rural Health Association for his support, leadership and outstanding commitment to rural health care issues. The group also credited him for helping to secure health insurance exchanges and small business tax credits which were modeled after legislation he authored called the SHOP Act. The exchanges and tax credits will help small businesses compete for talented employees on an even footing with larger firms for the first time, benefiting rural America.
