A record number of rural health advocates are coming to Capitol Hill Feb. 11-13 in response to growing evidence that rural America faces a worsening health crisis, including higher mortality rates and less access to care.

As rural hospital closures continue to escalate, with more closing in 2019 than in any of the past 15 years, the National Rural Health Association (NRHA) calls on Congress and the Administration to act swiftly.

During NRHA's 31st Rural Health Policy Institute – the largest rural advocacy event in the country – more than 500 rural health care providers and advocates will ask Congress and the Administration to end the catastrophic rural hospital closure crisis, mitigate the increasing mortality gap between rural and urban America, and improve health care workforce shortages.

"Now, more than ever, the voice of rural America is being heard," says NRHA CEO Alan Morgan. "Rural America is facing a national health crisis, and it's time that Washington listens."

Since 2010, 121 rural hospitals have closed, and hundreds more are at risk. Nearly half (46 percent) of rural hospitals operate at a financial loss, up from 36 percent five years ago, according to Chartis Group data.

NRHA's Rural Health Policy Institute will be held Feb. 11-13 at the Hilton Washington, D.C. National Mall. Members of Congress will speak to more than 500 rural health stakeholders and those same administrators and providers will visit congressional offices to relay unique rural stories to their elected officials.

Additionally, NRHA has partnered with the American Academy of Family Physicians and American Heart Association to host the 2020 Rural Health Disparities Summit Feb. 13, the final day of NRHA's D.C. events.

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