Emma Hardy: “Last fall a hospital in my State closed its doors after years of being the only hospital within a 100-mile radius.…”

“Last fall a hospital in my State closed its doors after years of being the only hospital within a 100-mile radius. Unlike in more populated communities, when a rural hospital closes, residents can be left with the frightening reality that emergency medical care and medical care services may be too far away. Sadly, this is not the only isolated incident. More than 30 percent of America's rural hospitals are vulnerable to the conditions that may have caused the closure of 71 facilities in the last 6 years. The numbers increase each year, and we have to act now to prevent more families from losing their lifelines in times of emergency. That is why I am introducing the bipartisan Rural Health Act of 2016. It will support existing rural hospitals by strengthening resources for State Offices of Rural Health and incentivize construction of new facilities for those communities in need. Our rural communities need our attention. We cannot let them down. ____________________”