Jeremy Armstrong (fifth from left), chief executive officer at St. Luke Hospital & Living Center in Marion, was one of 12 Kansas hospital administrators who met with U.S. Congressman Tim Huelskamp (fifth from right) last month in Salina. The group discussed a range of topics that included the effects of ObamaCare on hospitals, ?Doc Fix? legislation, and the hurdles that Critical Access Hospitals face today. After the meeting, Congressman Huelskamp released this statement: ?I was able to hear testimonies of how rural hospitals are trying to cope with the onslaught of regulations and uncertainty coming down from Washington. Unfortunately, much of the Obama Administration seems to be out of touch with the needs of health care in rural America. Just yesterday HHS issued a study that contains recommendations that, if implemented, would be devastating to the viability of Critical Access Hospitals in Kansas. Essentially, this would be the death nail for many of our rural hospitals. I will take what I heard today back to Washington and continue the fight against burdensome and unnecessary regulations that are crushing our rural hospitals.? Tom Bell, president and CEO of the Kansas Hospital Association said: ?The delivery of rural health care is becoming more challenging in today?s environment. Congressman Huelskamp recognizes these difficulties and has become an active voice in reducing the regulatory burdens that health-care providers face. ?
Armstrong among hospital CEOs to meet with Huelskamp
