|
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
| Udall Helps Secure Health Funding |
| Tara Trujillo | 7/29/10 |
|
| Back to the News Summaries |
|
Yesterday, July 28, U.S. Senator Mark Udall announced that a program his legislation helped create — to increase the number of primary care physicians practicing in rural areas — got a critically important shot in the arm, thanks to $5.1 million in funding included in a bill approved by the Senate’s Labor, Health and Human Services Appropriations Subcommittee.
The funding is vital to get the Rural Physicians Pipeline Act up and running. Senator Udall fought hard to get the program included as part of the larger health insurance reform bill, which was signed into law in February, and he has since worked to get funding for it this year. The next step is to win approval from the full Appropriations Committee.
 “This is terrific news, and it’s a great step forward for health care in rural Colorado – and rural America,” Senator Udall said. “This program will help us ensure rural communities aren’t being left behind when it comes to health care. I want to thank Chairman Harkin and the other members of the Subcommittee for hearing our call and helping us move closer to getting this program started this year.”
Senator Udall’s Rural Physicians Pipeline Act helps address one of the biggest barriers preventing people in rural communities from getting care – the shortage of primary care doctors. The program will help medical schools across the country establish programs similar to one at the University of Colorado, designed to increase the number of graduates who practice in rural areas. A 2008 study found that if all medical schools enrolled just 10 students per class in such a program, we would be able to double the number of graduating rural doctors.
The program will give schools the resources to recruit students from rural communities who already have an interest in serving in those areas – allowing us to train “home-grown” doctors with a real, personal interest in the health of their communities. And because primary care doctors in rural areas face challenges that urban doctors don’t, it will help students receive additional training in pediatrics, emergency medicine, obstetrics, and behavioral health, among other areas, enabling them to better serve their communities and, hopefully, reduce the disturbing health disparities.
For more information, contact Tara Trujillo or Jennifer Talhelm at (202) 224-4334. |
|
|
|
|
| Visit the Pagosa Daily Post |
| |
HOURS: Monday-Saturday Noon-9pm | Sunday 4-8pm
Give us a call at 970-731-0420
We offer DELIVERY from 5:00 until Closing for just $2.50 extra!
map & location | menu & prices | about dsp | contact us | local news | home
|
|
