09/16/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 09/16/2025 17:23
By SBE Council at 16 September, 2025, 3:58 pm
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Washington, D.C. - Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council (SBE Council) President & CEO Karen Kerrigan issued the following statement in response to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Rural Health Transformation Program and the $50 billion available to states via the "Working Families Tax Cuts Act" (the "One Big Beautiful Bill) to support and strengthen the healthcare ecosystem in rural America:
"Access to healthcare is essential to the vibrancy of local economies. It is foundational to long-term economic growth and resiliency. The Rural Health Transformation Program identifies core challenges along with the opportunities to strengthen rural healthcare. Its focus on human capital and workforce solutions, technology and digital infrastructure, innovative care, and a financial bridge for rural hospitals and providers complements the efforts of rural business leaders who are diligently working to attract investment, businesses, and people. Small business owners, their workers, and fellow residents who wish to continue calling their small towns 'home' have been provided hope through this critical initiative. Rural small business owners are ready to partner with local leaders, healthcare providers, and state governments to make this historic investment a success."
"Rural America holds great promise for economic development and opportunity, and entrepreneurs and small businesses are central to its success. Sustainable local economies must have strong healthcare infrastructure, which is doable through leadership, investment, technology and digital tools. Thankfully, the Rural Health Transformation Program addresses core areas that provide the transitional support rural communities need."
CONTACT:
KAREN KERRIGAN, [email protected]
SBE Council is a nonpartisan advocacy, research and education organization dedicated to protecting small business and promoting entrepreneurship. For more than 30 years, SBE Council has advanced a range of private sector and public policy initiatives to strengthen the ecosystem for strong startup activity and small business growth.
Visit www.sbecouncil.orgfor additional information. X: @SBECouncil
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