Farm bill boosts Alabama rural health care, but real showdown awaits in Montgomery
Alabama’s rural hospitals face a sickly prognosis. A whopping 88 percent are bleeding deficit ink and more than a dozen seem likely to shut within two years.
But some state lawmakers hope to find deliverance in the form of the $867 billion federal farm bill. For the first time in the farm bill’s history, there’s a section directly addressing rural health concerns.
“No question we are motivated to stabilize rural hospitals. And tools to do that in the new farm bill will be used as soon as possible in my opinion,” said state Rep. Randall Shedd, R-Fairview.
Alabama’s seven House members and both senators all supported the bill -- the “Agriculture Improvement Act” – when it passed Tuesday.
Read more: https://www.al.com/news/2018/12/farm-bill-boosts-alabama-rural-health-care-but-real-showdown-awaits-in-montgomery.html
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