Congressman
John E. Peterson

Rural Healthcare

Rural Caucus Co-Chairs John Peterson and Allen Boyd meet with HHS Secy. Tommy Thompson

In rural Pennsylvania, there is nothing more important to our way of life than having access to quality, affordable health care in our communities. Local hospitals and caregivers enable women to have babies delivered in their own community, provide aging citizens with a local support structure, and prevent trauma patients from having to travel long distances to receive emergency treatment. In addition, local hospitals are often the largest employer and strongest economic engine in our rural communities. A quality local health care network is critical for attracting and retaining employers who depend on health care for their employees and families.

I have made it a top priority to work to strengthen rural hospitals, nursing homes, home health agencies and other rural health care providers. Some

Congressman Peterson presenting a check to Punxsutawney Hospital

of the barriers which we face in rural Pennsylvania include inadequate Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement rates, exorbitant medical liability costs that are forcing doctors to leave the Commonwealth, a monopolistic private insurance market, and an ever-growing workforce shortage. While some of these problems must be solved at the state level, I will fight as your representative in Congress to ensure that all residents of rural Pennsylvania have access to quality, affordable health care.

^ top of page