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WASHINGTON (Gray, DC) – Congress is trying to close gaps in health care coverage across the country. Historically, rural areas have struggled to access adequate health care.
“I think it’s a great recognition of some of the equity challenges we face in these communities,” said Carrie Cochan-McLain, policy officer for the National Rural Health Association.
With the recent passage of the Mobile Health Care Act, Congress has indicated that there are health care deserts in the US that need to be addressed. Cochran-McLain said the legislation would bring care through mobile health clinics in these areas, instead of forcing rural residents to drive hours to offices or hospitals for cases that cannot be addressed by telehealth.
“There are just certain things you want to be able to do with your hands in a fashion,” Cochran-McLain said.
The law, in short, allows some health centers to use grant funds to set up so-called new access points. Sen. Jackie Rosen (D-Nev.) says it won’t cost the government more money.
“It’s really just about expanding what our health clinics can do, not just in my state of Nevada, but all over the country,” Rosen said.
Rosen wrote legislation that has overwhelming bipartisan support. Under the previous law, if a health care facility wanted to set up a mobile site, they also had to set up a permanent location. This new bill removes that requirement to encourage more mobile centers to be deployed.
“I hope people start getting these mobile units out pretty quickly,” Rosen said.
The bill has passed both houses of Congress and is awaiting the President’s signature.
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