Spokane, WA –Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), a member of the House Health Subcommittee, was honored by the American Hospital Association (AHA) and the Washington State Hospital Association (WSHA) with their Health Care Champion Award today.  The Congresswoman received the award for her outstanding contributions to health care policy.  She was presented with the award at a meeting of Eastern Washington hospital leaders at St. Luke’s Rehabilitation Institute.

“This award represents something I care very deeply about: ensuring that America remains the number-one provider of health care in the world,” said Rep. McMorris Rodgers.  “As a member of the House Health Subcommittee, I fight every day in Congress to advance common-sense, bipartisan health care solutions, including FDA reform, repealing the medical device tax, promoting primary care doctor training, and expanding rural health care access.  Together, I know we are capable of achieving great things, and I look forward to achieving them together in the months and years ahead.”

“This award is a reflection of Rep. McMorris Rodgers’ work on critical issues for hospitals and the patients they serve,” said Rich Umbdenstock, AHA President and CEO. “Rep. McMorris Rodgers understands the important role hospitals play in their community.”

Rep. McMorris Rodgers is a strong advocate for rural health care.  In the 112^th Congress, she introduced the Rural Hospital and Provider Equity Act, which would ensure that rural communities are fairly represented in the government’s health care policies.  She also introduced the 340B Improvement Act, which would expand the 340B drug rebate program that provides discounted prices to some facilities that care for uninsured and low-income patients.

“Rep. McMorris Rodgers is truly a champion for health care, especially for rural areas,” said Scott Bond, President of the WSHA. “Her work has been crucial to sustaining access to resources for people across our state. We are lucky to have her as a member of our congressional delegation.”

The American Hospital Association is a not-for-profit association of health care provider organizations and individuals that are committed improving health care in their communities.  The AHA is the national advocate for its members, which consist of almost 5,000 hospitals, health care systems, networks and other providers of care and 42,000 individual members.

The WSHA represents all of Washington’s 98 community hospitals.

To learn more about Rep. McMorris Rodgers’ work on health care, click here.