On the recordNovember 19, 2024
As co-chair of the bipartisan Rural Health Caucus, I am proud to lead my colleagues today in celebrating National Rural Health Month. With 61 million people, roughly 20 percent of the United States population, living across 97 percent of the country's landmass, delivering healthcare to every corner of America has required unique and innovative approaches and remains an ongoing challenge. As the primary growers and producers of the food, fuel, and fiber that keeps our country running, rural Americans are also quickly becoming older and more ethnically diverse, dealing with the challenges of keeping up with a world increasingly dependent on broadband activity to support all aspects of life, including healthcare delivery, can be a challenge. Since 2011, National Rural Health Day has been recognized annually on the third Thursday of November--coming up soon, on November 21--to highlight the dedication of healthcare providers and communities in addressing the healthcare needs of rural Americans. For those of us representing rural and remote parts of this country, every day is Rural Health Day, as we fight to provide access to even the most basic care services and to work to improve health outcomes and the life expectancy of our constituents. Mr. Speaker, I yield now to the gentlewoman from Illinois (Ms. Budzinski).





