Moolenaar Bill to Improve Rural Health Care Passes Committee Unanimously

Today, Congressman John Moolenaar's legislation H.R. 9642, the Medicare Access to Rural Anesthesiology Act, passed the Ways and Means Committee unanimously. The legislation would allow hospitals in rural communities to utilize Medicare funds already available to them to hire and pay physician anesthesiologists. Current law only permits these hospitals to use these funds to hire nurse anesthetists or certified anesthesiologist assistants.

"Rural Michiganders should be able to receive the same quality of health care as non-rural residents. My Medicare Access to Rural Anesthesiology Act will help rural hospitals recruit and pay physician anesthesiologists so their patients can access the level of care they deserve. I am grateful for Chairman Jason Smith and his leadership on the Ways and Means Committee to advance this commonsense, bipartisan legislation," said Moolenaar.

"Rural Americans deserve access to reliable, high-quality health care regardless of where they live," said Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith (R-MO-08). "Representative Moolenaar has consistently worked to address the challenges facing rural communities, and the Medicare Access to Rural Anesthesiology Act continues that effort by helping rural hospitals maintain access to critical anesthesia services. Too many patients today face long travel times or limited options because of provider shortages. This legislation is an important step toward ensuring Michigan seniors in rural communities can receive the care they need closer to home."

Video of the markup of H.R. 9642 can be found here. The legislation passed the Ways and Means Committee in a vote of 41-0.