MGMA testimony on increasing access to rural healthcare (May 16, 2024)

May 16, 2024 
 

Re: MGMA Statement for the Record — Senate Committee on Finance Hearing, “Rural Health Care: Supporting Lives and Improving Communities”

Dear Chairman Wyden and Ranking Member Crapo:

On behalf of our member medical group practices, the Medical Group Management Association (MGMA) would like to thank the Committee for holding this important hearing on supporting and improving rural healthcare. We appreciate the Committee examining the multifaceted issues facing medical groups in these regions; patient access to care is paramount, and we hope our response today will assist the Committee in enacting legislation to address the current challenges facing practices in rural areas.

With a membership of more than 60,000 medical practice administrators, executives, and leaders, MGMA represents more than 15,000 medical group practices ranging from small private medical practices to large national health systems representing more than 350,000 physicians. MGMA’s diverse membership uniquely situates us to offer the following policy recommendations.

Rural practices face a multitude of challenges in maintaining their ability to operate and provide high-quality care. More than 15% of all Americans live in rural areas, and patients in these areas generally tend to be older and sicker than patients in urban centers. The reality of operating a rural practice, coupled with inflation, staffing shortages, and Medicare physician payment cuts, coalesce to make it difficult for these practices to thrive. Federal policy should support and promote the success of these vital medical groups.

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