WASHINGTON, DC –U.S. Congressman Greg Walden (R-OR) today was elected by his House colleagues to serve as Co-Chairman of the House Rural Health Care Coalition (RHCC), a bipartisan coalition of approximately 180 Members of Congress that is committed to advancing rural priorities in the shaping of health care policy. As Co-Chairman of the RHCC, Walden will work collaboratively with his House colleagues, health care providers and patient advocacy groups to identify opportunities to strengthen health care among rural Americans.

"As the representative of the rural communities of central, southern and eastern Oregon, improving health care in rural America is an extremely high priority of mine," said Walden. "Lack of access to quality health care is one of the biggest factors that detracts from the quality of life of those living in rural communities, and it’s important that they have a strong voice in Congress to advocate for their needs. I’m honored to help lead the fight for the health care needs of rural Americans, and I look forward to working with my colleagues to ensure that quality health care is available in every corner of our country."

The RHCC has been an active and effective force in Congress. Its members are credited with the successful establishment of the Office of Rural Health Policy within the Department of Health and Human Services, as well as the creation of the Critical Access Hospital program, which provides higher rates of Medicare reimbursement to allow small community hospitals to keep their doors open to rural patients. The work of the House RHCC and Senate Rural Health Caucus was also the driving force behind the inclusion of rural health care benefits in the historic Medicare reform and prescription drug bill that passed last year.

Congressman Earl Pomeroy (D-ND) will serve as Walden’s co-chairman. Oregon Representatives Darlene Hooley (D-OR) and Peter DeFazio (D-OR) are also members of the RHCC.

For more information on the House Rural Health Care Coalition, click on the following link: http://www.house.gov/moranks01/rural_healthcare.htm.

Congressman Walden represents the Second District of Oregon, which includes 20 counties in southern, central and eastern Oregon. He is a Deputy Whip and a member of both the House Committee on Energy and Commerce and the House Committee on Resources.

###