Barrasso Celebrates Historic Investment in Rural Healthcare

"Where a person lives should not determine whether they have access to high-quality medical care… That's why, one year ago, Republicans passed the $50 billion Rural Health Transformation Fund."

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) today celebrated how the Rural Health Transformation Fund is strengthening and expanding access to high-quality medical care in rural communities across America.

Republicans created the Rural Health Transformation Fund in last year's Working Families Tax Cuts law.

Click HERE to watch Senator Barrasso's remarks.

Sen. Barrasso's remarks:

"As a physician, I want all Americans to receive the care they need, from a doctor they choose, at a price they can afford. Where a person lives should not determine whether they have access to high-quality medical care.

"I practiced medicine in Wyoming for 24 years. Taking care of patients continues to guide my work here in the United States Senate. Wyoming is a rural state. Rural Americans deserve access to local care that is affordable, reliable, and high quality.

"For years, the options for people in small communities have been shrinking. Obamacare accelerated the rural healthcare crisis. Since Obamacare became law 15 years ago, more than 100 rural hospitals across America have closed. It is yet another broken promise from the failure that is Obamacare.

"Rural America deserves a better approach. That's why, one year ago, Republicans passed the $50 billion Rural Health Transformation Fund. The Rural Health Transformation Fund is a crucial piece of the Working Families Tax Cuts law. It was designed to overcome the failed, one-size-fits-all Washington approach. It partners with communities to invest in the services they need.

"The Rural Health Transformation Fund is the largest federal investment in rural healthcare in American history. Every state in America is now receiving the first round of funding under this new program. The true power of this investment goes beyond its historic size and scope. Fundamentally, it is about delivering care to people when and where they need it the most.

"The federal government is too large to know the unique needs of every community. Real solutions come from states, from local communities, and from local healthcare providers. The Rural Health Transformation Fund is built on

that simple idea. It gives states the resources and flexibility to invest in the services their communities need.

"In Wyoming, we received $205 million this year from the Rural Health Transformation Fund. More funding will follow for the next five years. We are strengthening and expanding access to care in every corner of our state. We are supporting hospitals and clinics. We are embracing new technologies, and bringing quality care closer to home.

"At the same time, we are investing in our healthcare workforce. High quality care starts with highly trained doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals. Wyoming has a long and successful track record of investing in our healthcare professionals. The Rural Health Transformation Fund allows us to build on that success.

"We also know that the best treatment is often prevention. Preventive medicine can lead to healthier lives. It helps to lower costs. It teaches healthy habits from a young age. That is why Wyoming is investing in prevention.

"We are making sure the Food Stamps program focuses on healthy nutrition. We are bringing back Presidential Fitness Tests in schools across the state. This helps children grow up healthier and reduces the long-term burden of chronic disease.

"These practical and common-sense steps have a clear goal: to help Wyoming families live healthier lives and to make healthcare more affordable.

"I want to thank Dr. Oz and Governor Mark Gordon. Dr. Oz leads the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid. Dr. Oz and his team worked closely with Governor Gordon and his team. Together, they developed an innovative plan tailored to Wyoming's unique needs.

"Every single Democrat in Congress - every single one of them - voted against the Rural Health Transformation Fund. And that's not bad enough. One thing was bad is they voted against it. And then they came to the Floor and later voted to eliminate it - to strangle the money that's going out to these communities all across the country. They said, 'No, we don't want it to go out.'

"Why? Why did they vote to cut $50 billion from rural healthcare hospitals? Because they wanted to pay for healthcare for illegal immigrants. That's their mindset.

"Look at what happened in New York yesterday with the primary elections. Open borders, eliminate ICE, focus on giving services to illegal immigrants - people who are in the country illegally. How do they want to pay for all of this stuff? Well, the Democrats in the Senate say, 'Let's eliminate the rural healthcare plan.' That's their approach of every Democrat in the Senate, and apparently a lot of Democrats - if not all - who are running to serve in the body.

"Democrats voted to weaken healthcare for law-abiding American citizens to expand healthcare for illegal immigrants. That is a fundamental difference of mentality and approach and concern for American citizens. So just remember that when Democrats come and talk about healthcare. It's not necessary healthcare for you and your family. It's healthcare for illegal immigrants.

"Republicans are reversing the damage done by Obamacare - which, to repeat, forced 100 hospitals to close across the country. Republicans are putting rural communities first. We will continue to do that."

###