Vizient hosts rural healthcare briefing on Capitol Hill

On September 11, 2024, a policy briefing focused on rural healthcare challenges was held at the Rayburn House Office Building, organized by Vizient, Inc. The event attracted over 100 attendees, including congressional staff and industry stakeholders, and featured remarks from Representatives Jill Tokuda and Brad Wenstrup. The briefing emphasized the critical role of hospitals in rural areas and the disparities faced by patients in accessing quality care. Rep. Wenstrup, a physician and Co-Chair of the GOP Doctors Caucus, highlighted the importance of timely access to healthcare, advocating for bipartisan legislation to enhance telehealth services and extend the Medicare Acute Hospital Care at Home program. Meanwhile, Rep. Tokuda, co-founder of the Bipartisan Rural Health Caucus, stressed that geographic location should not dictate healthcare quality, pointing out the urgent need for resources to support rural hospitals. A panel discussion moderated by Rebecca Blaesing-Bauer included healthcare leaders from various organizations, who addressed ongoing issues such as workforce recruitment, reduced access to maternal care, and financial burdens on rural providers. They proposed solutions like protecting the 340B program, extending telehealth waivers, and increasing graduate medical education spots to bolster the healthcare workforce. Vizient remains committed to collaborating with policymakers and stakeholders to enhance rural healthcare. The organization aims to share insights and recommendations to address the pressing challenges faced by rural healthcare providers, ensuring that they can continue to serve their communities effectively.