Jack Bergman: “It is so interesting to walk in and wonder if you have walked into the middle of something. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate…”

“It is so interesting to walk in and wonder if you have walked into the middle of something. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the gentlewoman for yielding, and I am honored to join my colleagues today in highlighting the accomplishments and ongoing challenges facing high-quality healthcare access in rural and remote parts of our country. Believe me, it covers a lot of our geography. Healthcare providers in areas like Michigan's First District face unique struggles in maintaining financial stability while providing the best possible care, struggles unlike anything facing those in urban or suburban regions. As a result, we have seen a significant increase in rural clinic and hospital closures over the past decade, and many of those still operating today are doing so at the razor's edge. A single provider closing their doors could result in patients having to travel hundreds of miles farther to receive any kind of care. While the situation remains serious, we have seen promising improvements for rural health, especially when it comes to telemedicine. The pandemic underscored the need for and the efficacy of telehealth, especially for those in rural areas who would otherwise be forced to travel multiple hours just to receive a routine checkup or consult with their doctor.…”