Van Orden Hosts Healthcare Roundtable in Eau Claire, Announces New Legislation
EAU CLAIRE, W.I. – Today, Congressman Derrick Van Orden (WI-03) led a healthcare roundtable in Eau Claire, Wisconsin to provide a space for federal, state, and local elected officials and healthcare representatives to discuss the Congressman’s healthcare legislative priorities and ways to improve medical care access in the Third District.
During the roundtable, Congressman Van Orden announced the introduction of his bill, the Rural Healthcare Revitalization Act of 2024. This bill would permit states to request, and if approved, receive waivers to bypass restrictions on establishing a new medical facility in the event of a small hospital closure in the region.
Following the roundtable, Congressman Van Orden stated:
“I held this roundtable in Eau Claire today with local and state elected officials and healthcare representatives because rural Wisconsinites should not be pushed to the sidelines ever, but especially when it comes to medical care. Folks are still struggling to find accessible healthcare following the HSHS and Prevea Health closures in western Wisconsin, and I want to make sure we are doing all we can to get these people the resources they deserve.
“That is why I introduced the Rural Healthcare Revitalization Act of 2024. If a small hospital closes, there must be a plan to fill in the healthcare gap so our rural residents can continue to access quality medical care."
Congressman Van Orden has taken several actions to improve healthcare access for rural America, including:
- Co-introducing H.R. 8154, which will permanently extend telehealth services for Federally Qualified Health Centers and Rural Health Clinics.
- Sending a letter to Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers following the HSHS and Prevea Health hospital closure announcements urging him to utilize state and federal resources to provide medical care alternatives in rural Wisconsin.
- Sending a letter to the Wisconsin State Legislature urging support for legislation that would repurpose $15 million for healthcare needs in the Chippewa Valley.
- Requesting Community Project Funding (CPF) on behalf of Chippewa County to establish a new mortuary following the closure of the facility at HSHS.