Rural Communities face unique issues when it comes to health care. The Rural Caucus is in the process of sending a letter to every Democratic member of Congress today to raise awareness about these important issues. We ask that you please copy our letter to send to your state’s members of Congress as well. Forward freely!

Dear Member of Congress:

Now that Congress has returned from the summer recess, I’m excited to see the progress we will make regarding health reform. This is an important debate. The current system is broken and is not working for rural Americans across our country.

Rural Americans face unique challenges that their urban counterparts do not. We are faced with less access to health networks, inadequate health care services, limited access to preventative care, and a greater number of small businesses and self-employment. Due to these and other challenges, rural areas have an uninsured rate of 23%, which is 5% above the national level. This is simply unacceptable. We need health reform now.

Aside from supporting health reform, I strongly encourage you to support the rural health care safety net. This safety net will help to address the workforce shortages in rural areas, ensure equity in reimbursements, and repair the outdated rural health care infrastructure. Modernizing the health care infrastructure in rural America must be a priority of any proposed health reform legislation.

The Young Democrats of America Rural Caucus stands in solidarity with President Obama on creating meaningful change in the American health care system. The system is broken and many rural Americans face significant challenges or are simply left behind. Congress must fight to ensure that all Americans have access to quality, affordable, and sustainable health care no matter where they live.

Sincerely,

Cassi Peters
Chair, Young Democrats of America Rural Caucus