Maggie Elehwany JD

Maggie Elehwany, National Rural Health Association vice president of government affairs, discussed the importance of rural health care today during a Rural Health 101 policy briefing on Capitol Hill. Elehwany spoke on the significant role rural providers play to the older, sicker, and poorer population they serve. “Sixty-two million patients rely on rural providers,” Elehwany said. “These providers are facing unprecedented challenges from Washington, from challenges in Medicaid expansion, continued cuts in Medicare and continued threats of additional Medicare cuts.” Elehwany urged the Senate to protect access to care for these vulnerable populations and to save the 283 rural hospitals that are on the brink of closure.