rural healthcare

Funding is needed to ensure smooth distribution, Sewell said.

The Alabama Senate Health Committee last week narrowly voted to give a favorable report to a bill that would allow Alabama optometrists to expand their scope of practice to include seven procedures that are currently performed exclusively by ophthalmologists. Senate Bill 66 is sponsored by State Senator Tom Whatley (R-Auburn). Whatley said that he has … Continued

Wednesday, Speaker of the House Mac McCutcheon (R-Monrovia) told a gathering of the Alabama County Commissioners Association in Auburn that the Alabama legislature will likely work on addressing rural healthcare in the 2020 legislative session. McCutcheon said that the legislature is “Working on rural healthcare,” and is looking at rural clinics. “We need to provide … Continued

U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell, D-Selma, authored an article in “Modern Healthcare” on the growing doctor shortage and how it impacts Americans — particularly those living in rural areas. “On top of rising medical and prescription drug costs, many Americans must travel long distances to access quality medical care because too often rural areas struggle to … Continued

U.S. Sen. Doug Jones, D-Alabama, announced Wednesday a new $200,000 grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission to establish the New Site Medical Complex in New Site, Alabama. This grant will provide funding for a 3,120 square-foot building housing a primary care clinic and private pharmacy. The tenants will include Russell Medical and Jackson Drugs. “Health … Continued

Former gubernatorial candidate Chris Countryman is exploring running for the Democratic nomination for the open Second Congressional District. Countryman agreed to a lengthy interview by the Alabama Political Reporter. APR: Huntsville, Baldwin County, Lee County and Shelby County have really experienced a lot of economic growth, but the Second Congressional District has been largely stagnant … Continued

Thursday, Representatives Bradley Byrne (R-Montrose), Phil Roe (R-Tenness), Terri A. Sewell (D-Selma), Brad Wenstrup, D.P.M (R-Ohio), Jodey Arrington (R-Texas), and Jason Smith (R-Missouri) led 90 colleagues in a letter to Secretary Alex Azar of the Department of Health & Human Services and Administrator Seema Verma of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services in support … Continued