Test new models of telehealth without regard to the geographic barriers and some of the other statutory restrictions. We have a number of very interesting telehealth models that are being tested currently including the health link model i mentioned in my testimony. Thank you very much. Senator moran . Mr. Chairman, thank you very much. Thank you for you and senator murray having this hearing. A very important one certainly from a senator from kansas. But really for the country. Let me start with mr. Morris. Tell me what statistics are there that demonstrate over a period of time how many rural hospitals are closing or being in addition to that are threatened to close. Ive seen an ap story just in the last few days indicating that 50 rural hospitals have closed that expectations for more a total of 50 hospitals in the rural u. S. Have closed since 2010 according to the ap. And the pace has been accelerating with more closures in the past two years than the past ten. This is according to
Mr. Chairman and members of the committee thank you for the opportunity to speak to you today. My name is george stover, and i serve as the chief executive officer of hospital district number one of rice county in lyons county. Lyons has a population of 3800. Our community hospital, which first opened in 1959 is a 25bed critical access hospital that employees approximately 150 individuals. Rural Community Hospitals have a long and distinguished commitmentment of providing care for all who seek it 24 7 365. More than 36 of all kansans live in rural areas and depend on a local hospital serving their community. Rural hospitals face a unique set of challenges because of the remote geographic location small size scarce workforce, physician shortages, higher percentage of medicare and medicaid patients and a constrained Financial Resources that limited access to capital. These challenges alone would make it difficult for many rural hospitals to survive. However, one disturbing challenge that
In Rural Communities, and we think the need is largely met in that program, not only through federal funding, but through state and private sector funding, but we do allow people to come in through our outreach funding to get at the same issue. They could come in for outreach funding or Network Funding for a request in the budget and do the same thing in the sense they can develop a program that seeks to purchase supplies and put them in the communities. The remaining need out there, it can be met through the outreach program. And the hospital Improvement Program youd continue is a 25 Million Program . Yes, sir. That in the current Year Spending 25 and preparing another 25 next year . Correct . The 20 this year for similar purposes goes away in the president s budget . Yes. The program, theres no request for that, funded historically at 15 million and the other 5 million is request for emergency devices program. What are the what obstacles do you see in telehealth. We have people telli