In Recognition Of His Advocacy For Rural Health Care, Durbin Presented With UI Health’s Rural Health Hero Award

In Recognition Of His Advocacy For Rural Health Care, Durbin Presented With UI Health's Rural Health Hero Award

ROCKFORD - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today was presented with the Rural Health Hero Award from the University of Illinois College of Medicine's National Center for Rural Health Profession. Durbin accepted the award at the University of Illinois College of Medicine-Rockford campus.

"I am honored to accept this Rural Health Hero award," said Durbin. "As a downstater, I know that the difference between care being five miles and 50 miles from home is a matter of life and death. Throughout rural Illinois, we face a shortage of doctors, nurses, dentists, mental health professionals, and EMTs. I have started initiatives like the Rural Roadmap and SIREN grants to address this shortage, and I have continued to fight against cuts to Medicaid that jeopardize our rural health providers. Every American deserves quality, affordable health care no matter where they live. I am grateful for this award and the University of Illinois College of Medicine's partnership in this fight."

In 2023, Durbin released his "Roadmap to Grow Illinois' Rural Health Workforce." This is a partnership with hospitals, medical and nursing schools, including UI Medicine-Rockford, community colleges, dentists, physicians, and nurses to improve access to health care in rural parts of the state. The roadmap focused on reaching into middle and high schools to attract young people into health careers, expanding the capacity of education programs, and creating incentives for rural recruitment.

In 2018 as part of the Farm Bill, Durbin introduced the bipartisan Supporting and Improving Rural EMS Needs (SIREN) Act to support rural EMS agencies in training and recruiting staff, conducting certification courses, and purchasing equipment. Since then, Durbin and U.S. Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) have led the appropriations effort to grow the program from $5 million annually to $11.5 million as of 2024, resulting in a total of $40 million in grants nationwide to 42 states. The SIREN Act has resulted in new funds to rural EMS/fire agencies in Carbondale, Nauvoo, Amboy, Jerseyville, Mt. Carmel, Paris, and Gibson City, Illinois.

Durbin has secured more than $10 million in earmarks for nursing schools, dental schools, and rural health clinics working to expand the rural health workforce. Photos of the award ceremony can be found here.

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