THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

HOUSE RESOLUTION

INTRODUCED BY BAKER, EVERETT, HESS, MAJOR, METZGAR, PICKETT, GEIST, STERN, KNOWLES AND CAUSER, NOVEMBER 17, 2011

INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35, NOVEMBER 17, 2011  

A RESOLUTION

Designating the week of November 13 through 19, 2011, as "Rural

Health Week" in Pennsylvania.

WHEREAS, Nearly one in five Americans lives in rural and

frontier areas, accounting for 80% of the total land area in

this nation but only providing for 20% of the population; and

WHEREAS, Forty-eight of the 67 counties in this Commonwealth

are predominantly rural and five counties are completely rural;

and

WHEREAS, Meeting the health care needs of rural residents is

a unique task as communities face accessibility issues, a lack

of health care providers, an aging population suffering from a

greater number of chronic conditions and larger percentages of

uninsured and underinsured citizens; and

WHEREAS, Rural hospitals are not only sources of innovation

and resourcefulness that reach beyond geographical boundaries to

deliver quality care, but have also been the economic foundation

of rural communities in this Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, Supporting our rural hospitals, providers and

citizens is imperative to the overall health and welfare of this

Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, The Department of Health has developed strategies to

address the needs and opportunities that occur within rural

communities; and

WHEREAS, The Office of Rural Health and the Pennsylvania

Rural Health Association play a distinct and critical role by

leading efforts to address the unique health care needs of our

rural citizens; and

WHEREAS, It is important for all citizens to recognize the

distinctive health care needs and opportunities that exist in

rural communities; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives designate the

week of November 13 through 19, 2011, as "Rural Health Week" in

Pennsylvania.