Health care on front burner

by Special to the Daily Herald
Published/Last Modified on Wednesday, July 22, 2009 3:10 PM EDT

ROANOKE RAPIDS — The cost of medical care and how to provide health care coverage to millions of uninsured Americans will be at the forefront of tonight’s presidential news conference. It is also a big concern locally.

Yolanda Draughan, RN, BSN and Congressman G. K. Butterfield during a recent visit at Halifax Regional Medical Center. Contributed photo | Daily Herald


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President Barack Obama goes before a national television audience at 8 p.m. today to discuss his national health insurance proposals.

Earlier this week, U.S. Rep. G.K. Butterfield visited Halifax Regional Medical Center to emphasize the importance of quality health care in rural communities.

“Citizens in rural areas deserve access to quality health care just as all Americans do,” said Butterfield after speaking with Will Mahone, president of Halifax Regional and visiting doctors and nurses at the medical center.

“A regional hospital not only serves patients but also helps to drive the local economy by providing jobs and economic opportunity,” Butterfield continued. Halifax Regional has nearly 1,000 full and part-time employees.

Butterfield and Mahone discussed the financial challenges facing hospitals in rural areas. Mahone urged Butterfield to support legislation that increases health care coverage for the uninsured without decreasing funds for Medicare and Medicaid. Approximately 75 percent of patients at Halifax Regional are on either Medicare or Medicaid.

“It is the function of the federal government to provide stability in the area of health care delivery,” Butterfield told Mahone. “Our nation is facing economic challenges and hospitals are feeling the effect, along with small businesses and families.”

Halifax Regional reduced expenses by $4.8 million in April after revenue did not meet expectations. Mahone said bad debt expenses are up 21 percent this year.

Butterfield pledged to support America’s rural hospitals and said he looks forward to working with hospitals and physicians to support their efforts to provide access to quality health care.

Copyright © 2010 Roanoke Daily Herald

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