Senators ask HHS secretary to protect access to health care in rural communities

In a letter yesterday to Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price, a bipartisan group of 41 senators representing rural states expressed interest in working with the administration to strengthen access to hospital and health care services in vulnerable rural communities. “Rural hospitals play a critical role in communities across the country,” they wrote. “In addition to providing health care services to surrounding communities, hospitals are often one of the main employers. It is critical we work together as Republicans and Democrats to ensure these hospitals are able to continue to provide care.” The letter was spearheaded by Sens. Roger Wicker (R-MS), Jon Tester (D-MT), Charles Grassley (R-IA) and Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND).