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WASHINGTON–Congressman Ron Estes (R-Kansas) questioned Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar today during a Ways and Means Committee budget hearing. The Congressman also asked the Secretary about rural health care and his appointment today of former Kansas Governor Dr. Jeff Colyer.
 
"I'm particularly proud to hear about your announcement earlier today about the former governor from Kansas Dr. Jeff Colyer to head up the HHS's rural health initiatives," said Rep. Estes. "Our former governor and a medical doctor – Kansans know Dr. Colyer is dedicated to rural America and patient well-being. I can personally attest to his qualifications and know that he's very fit for this initiative. Can you help talk through a little bit about how you want to make sure there's a major focus on rural health care with this initiative?"
 
Congressman Estes also asked Secretary Azar about funding for rural providers when addressing the threat of coronavirus.
 
"We know you've been working a lot – we've talked a lot this morning about the COVID-19, and it's critical that those rural areas also have access to protections against that. We want to make sure that the funding gets out to those rural areas as well. I mean, maybe it needs to be at least 25% or even more of the funding to help make sure that it covers those rural areas and not just the urban areas.
 
"Particularly, using telemedicine, being able to prepare for staff shortages, being able to address overflows from some of the urban areas that are critically hit in terms of when the crisis does hit. So I don't know if you've had some time to look through as you're working through this is – what are you looking at in terms of helping make sure the rural hospitals and providers can help be part of this plan?"

View Congressman Estes' questions and Secretary Azar's response here.