Tennessee U.S. Rep. Diana Harshbarger Launches Congressional Bipartisan Rural Health Caucus

Tennessee U.S. Representative Diana Harshbarger (R-TN-01) (pictured above, left) recently joined forces with U.S. Representative Jill Tokuda (D-HI-2) (pictured above, right) to launch a bipartisan caucus aimed at improving health care for Americans in rural areas.

I am proud to relaunch the Bipartisan Rural Health Caucus with @RepHarshbarger! From the South to the middle of the Pacific, we are working to highlight the health care issues facing rural communities and to improve health care and outcomes across the country. #RuralHealthMatters pic.twitter.com/NowXRrMhUI

— U.S. Rep. Jill Tokuda (@RepJillTokuda) June 20, 2023

Harshbarger and Tokuda’s Congressional Bipartisan Rural Health Caucus will provide a “forum for Members of Congress to advocate for legislation and action that help increase access to quality, affordable health care and mental health services for all rural Americans,” according to the Tennessee congresswoman’s office.

The caucus will also “host briefings and events designed to educate and inform Members of Congress and the public about the most pressing health care needs in rural areas and potential policy solutions,” Harshbarger’s office notes.

“Having served as a pharmacist in East Tennessee for over 30 years, I understand the unique health care challenges faced by our rural communities each and every day,” Harshbarger, who graduated from Mercer University College of Pharmacy with a Doctor of Pharmacy degree and is a licensed pharmacist, said in a statement.

“Rural health care providers throughout the country, especially those in East Tennessee, grapple with workforce shortages, supply scarcities, reimbursement challenges, and difficulties ensuring their patients receive the care they need,” Harshbarger added.

Upon launching the caucus, Harbarger and Tokuda cited data that shows there are currently more than 46 million Americans, or 15 percent of the U.S. population, living in rural areas.

“Compared with their urban counterparts, rural Americans experience lower life expectancy and poorer health status,” Harshbarger and Tokuda explain. “In general, residents in rural areas face barriers to accessing health care due to the limited number of providers, especially those providing specialized care, and inadequate health insurance. Rural residents may also lack access to reliable transportation and deal with exposure to environmental and occupational hazards.”

“These disparities highlight the need for greater attention and resources aimed at improving health care and outcomes in rural areas,” the congresswomen added.

NRHA applauds @RepJillTokuda and @RepHarshbarger on the relaunch of the Rural Health Caucus! It is an opportunity to highlight the critical issues facing our rural providers and patients. Stay tuned for more! https://t.co/bYGAuxEWlK

— NRHA Advocacy (@NRHA_Advocacy) June 21, 2023

Harshbarger and Tokuda’s caucus was launched in partnership with the National Rural Health Association (NRHA), a national nonprofit professional association focused on advocating for solutions surrounding rural health issues.

“NRHA applauds Representatives Tokuda and Harshbarger for their efforts to stand up the Rural Health Caucus. The Caucus is an opportunity to shed light on critical issues facing many rural providers and patients. NRHA looks forward to working closely with the Rural Health Caucus and moving rural health priorities forward,” NRHA CEO Alan Morgan said in a statement.

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Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network.
Photo “Diana Harshbarger” by Rep. Diana Harshbarger. Photo “Jill Tokuda” by U.S. House of Representatives. Background Photo “U.S. Capitol” by Alejandro Barba.

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