Rep. TJ Cox joins lawmakers in bipartisan concern over rural healthcare centers

Despite the fact this crisis has brought more patients in the doors of rural medical facilities than ever before, revenue for rural healthcare providers has nosedived due to canceled non-emergency care.

This crisis has destabilized core health services in rural America and could close hundreds of rural hospitals around the country, leaving thousands of rural Americans stranded without healthcare.

Fortunately, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act has set aside $100 billion to reimburse eligible health care providers for healthcare-related expenses or lost revenues that are attributable to COVID-19.

A letter, signed by Congressman Cox, urges HHS to make sure that a substantial amount of that funding is given to rural healthcare centers. 

This funding would include a 20% rural benchmark put in place in the $100 billion provider fund to make sure that rural healthcare providers can access the funding they need. 

“Rural Americans in the Central Valley and across the nation are hit the hardest by public health crises,” said Cox. “I saw this first-hand as half of the hospitals in my district closed over the past decade. I voted to pass the CARES Act in Congress to help Americans affected by COVID-19, and I will fight to make sure that rural Americans get the support they need.”