Congressman Tim Huelskamp is spending the current break in Washington traveling his district in Kansas. He was in Salina on Friday, visiting with health care professionals. He also appeared on KSAL radio.

After meeting with twelve hospital administrators from across the state to discuss a range of topics Congressman Huelskamp released this statement:

“The meeting today was very productive. I was able to hear testimonies of how rural hospitals are trying to cope with the onslaught of regulations and uncertainty coming down from Washington. Unfortunately, much of the Obama Administration seems to be out of touch with the needs of health care in rural America. Just yesterday HHS issued a study that contains recommendations that, if implemented, would be devastating to the viability of Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) in Kansas. Essentially, this would be the death nail for many of our rural hospitals.” Huelskamp continued. “I will take what I heard today back to Washington and continue the fight against burdensome and unnecessary regulations that are crushing our rural hospitals.”

Tom Bell, President and CEO of the Kansas Hospital Association said: “The delivery of rural health care is becoming more challenging in today’s environment. Congressman Huelskamp recognizes these difficulties and has become an active voice in reducing the regulatory burdens that health care providers face. His support of legislation that minimizes the barriers to delivering quality and accessible health care is essential and appreciated.”