Illinois rural health representatives rally in Washington         

46 states attend NRHA Rural Health Policy Institute

Logan County represented

[MARCH 7, 2006]  WASHINGTON -- More than 300 rural health representatives from 46 states gathered at the National Rural Health Association's Policy Institute in Washington, D.C., recently. These individuals met with top government health officials, senators and representatives, and other state rural health leaders to discuss the complex issues and programs that surround rural health today.

Illinois leaders carried the message to Washington that rural health will not be left behind. Kristi Lessen, from Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital, attended the conference Feb. 27- March 1.

Areas specifically addressed with congressional leaders included the following:

• Adequate funding for rural health care.
• The establishment of rural health quality demonstration programs.
• Legislation to ensure that Medicare will adequately serve rural America.

"The policy institute was a remarkable learning experience," Lessen said. "I was able to network with rural health organizations from across the country while advocating for rural health issues that currently impact Logan County, Illinois."

The National Rural Health Association, with approximately 10,000 members, is a national nonprofit organization that provides leadership on rural health issues. The association's mission is to improve the health and well-being of rural Americans and to provide leadership on rural health issues through advocacy, communications, education and research. The membership is made up of a diverse collection of individuals and organizations, all of whom share the common bond of an interest in rural health.

For a list of state rural health contacts in your area, call Julie Cockley at [phone] or e-mail her at [e-mail].

[National Rural Health Association news release]