Mullin, O'Halleran Introduce Bill to Reauthorize State Offices of Rural Health

Press Release

Today, Congressman Markwayne Mullin (OK-02) and Congressman Tom O'Halleran (AZ-01) introduced the State Offices of Rural Health Reauthorization Act of 2022. The bill reauthorizes a key grant program that supports state health facilities across the country in an effort to improve rural health care and increase access to quality, affordable care.

"Rural America faces unique obstacles when it comes to accessing quality health care as compared to Americans in urban or suburban areas," Mullin said. "The Offices of Rural Health were created to help deliver affordable, accessible health care to the underserved communities of our country. Since their establishment, they have played an integral role in improving the health of rural America. I am proud to introduce this bipartisan legislation alongside Rep. O'Halleran to reauthorize the State Offices of Rural Health to ensure their good work for our rural communities can continue."

"For decades, the nationwide gap in quality of care between rural and urban America has disadvantaged families across Arizona's First District, many of whom are older, lower-income, and must often travel hundreds of miles to receive even basic medical treatment," O'Halleran said."I'm proud to join this bipartisan effort to address this disparity and support the tireless work of rural health centers and providers."

Established in 1991, Oklahoma State University's Office of Rural Health was created as part of a federal mandate to coordinate, plan, and promote quality health care for underserved rural Oklahomans. The Office of Rural Health works with rural communities to help ensure their health care infrastructure is economically viable and to broaden and improve the access and quality of health care services.

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