New Law Increases Access To Health Care Services in Rural and Underserved Communities
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LAS VEGAS, NV — Today, U.S. Senators Jacky Rosen (D-NV) and Susan Collins (R-ME), and Congresswoman Susie Lee (NV-03), applauded news that President Biden has signed their bipartisan, bicameral Maximizing Outcomes through Better Investments in Lifesaving Equipment for (MOBILE) Health Care Act into law. The legislation provides community health centers with the flexibility to use federal funds to establish new, mobile health care delivery sites to increase access to health care services in rural and underserved communities.
“I am proud to have worked in a bipartisan way to draft and pass this critical legislation to increase access to quality health care across Nevada and our country,” said Senator Rosen. “The MOBILE Health Care law will make it easier for community health centers to take their care on the go with mobile clinics, bringing much needed care directly to underserved and rural communities.”
“Community health centers in Maine and across the country play an indispensable role in ensuring that rural and underserved communities receive affordable and quality health care,” said Senator Collins. “The MOBILE Health Care Act will help community health centers further expand their reach to the most rural parts of our state by giving them greater flexibility and allowing them to bring clinics even closer to the patients they serve.”
“I’m so proud that my bipartisan MOBILE Health Care Act is now law,” said Rep. Susie Lee. “This legislation is a common-sense step to get health care to more Nevadans and Americans across this country. For too many people who live in underserved and rural areas, it is nearly impossible to physically get to a doctor’s office. By allowing Federally Qualified Health Clinics to acquire more mobile clinics, this legislation will help bring essential health care to people where they are. I’m going to keep fighting to get all Nevadans access to the health care they deserve.”
“Nevada Primary Care Association and Nevada’s Community Health Centers, which serve more than 111,000 Nevadans, would like to express our profound appreciation to Senator Jacky Rosen and Representative Susie Lee for sponsoring and passing the MOBILE Health Care Act,” said Nancy Bowen, CEO of Nevada Primary Care Association. “Enhancing our ability to provide care to our many rural communities that don’t have a clinic or to those with transportation barriers is essential to reducing the health disparities that Nevadans face compared to the rest of the nation. This is exactly what the MOBILE Health Care Act will do by allowing health centers to finance mobile health services in places with no permanent health center clinic.”
“Nevada Health Centers lauds the passage of the MOBILE Health Care Act, which gives Federally Qualified Health Centers like ours the ability to enhance and expand mobile services in the communities we serve,” said Walter Davis, CEO of Nevada Health Centers. “Through programs like our Mammovan, which provides screening mammography to women throughout Nevada, or our Nevada Children’s Health Project, which provides mobile medical care and support to children and youth in southern Nevada, the MOBILE Health Care Act enables the added flexibility to use our government funding to support mobile units that are making a huge difference in our state. Thanks to Congresswoman Lee, Senator Rosen, and the Nevada Primary Care Association for championing this important legislation.”
“NACHC and Community Health Centers across the country celebrate the signing of the bipartisan MOBILE Health Care Act by President Joe Biden. I want to thank Representative Susie Lee, Representative Richard Hudson, Representative Raul Ruiz, and Representative Jaime Herrera Beutler for pushing this important bill across the finish line,” said Rachel Gonzales-Hanson, Interim President and CEO of the National Association of Community Health Centers. “While nearly half of health centers are located in rural and frontier communities, we know there is still unmet need. The expansion of mobile clinics will enable health centers that serve these communities to reach more patients and provide critical services to treat chronic illnesses such as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease and provide a host of services including dental, behavioral health, and depression screenings. In fact, mobile clinics have been essential in the fight against COVID. Over the last six months, health centers have held nearly 7,000 mobile COVID events to test and vaccinate patients.”
Senator Rosen has been a leading voice in advocating for affordable and inclusive healthcare. Recently, she helped secure a three-year extension for health insurance premium subsidies as part of the Inflation Reduction Act. Senator Rosen has also led the charge to increase access to health care in rural communities, including by addressing Nevada’s doctor shortage and reducing the financial burdens on medical students serving in their residencies.
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