Problem Solvers Caucus Supports Bipartisan MOBILE Health Care Act to Expand Access to Primary Health Care Services in Rural and Underserved Communities
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Problem Solvers Caucus endorsed the Maximizing Outcomes through Better Investments in Lifesaving Equipment for (MOBILE) Health Care Act. This bipartisan legislation would allow for greater flexibility for grants awarded to community health centers, so they are able to use funds to meet their own needs and improve care delivery for those in the community.
The bill expands the allowable use criteria in the New Access Points Grant program (NAP), run by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), to include part-time mobile clinics and renovation, leasing, acquisition, and new construction of health centers within the program to increase access to affordable, accessible, quality health care services in rural and underserved communities.
Representatives Susie Lee (NV-03) and Jamie Herrera Beutler (WA-03) brought the bill for endorsement, which garnered the support of more than 75 percent of the Caucus.
“Throughout the COVID-19 crisis, we’ve seen how critical it is for Americans to have access to affordable, quality health care. That means working across the aisle to ensure rural and underserved communities have access to the care they need,” said Problem Solvers Caucus Co-Chair Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05). “By endorsing the MOBILE Health Care Act, the Problem Solvers Caucus is fighting for bipartisan, commonsense legislation to expand the reach of community health centers to benefit residents across North Jersey and nationwide.”
“Community health centers are integral to providing quality, affordable health care to our veterans and rural communities in Pennsylvania,” said Problem Solvers Caucus Co-Chair Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01). “This bipartisan bill will allow community health centers to expand mobile health units and access to care for patients living in hard to reach and underserved areas.”
“When it comes to providing access to affordable, quality healthcare, Federally-Qualified Health Centers are often the only option for families across the country,” said Rep. Susie Lee (NV-03). “With this bill, we’ll be able to help community health centers expand into communities that have traditionally been hard to reach. It will ensure that more Americans, no matter where they live, will receive the health care they deserve. I am so proud that this common-sense legislation, which I introduced with my Republican colleague, Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler, has received the endorsement of the Problem Solvers Caucus.”
“Southwest Washington residents, and especially those living in rural areas, know the struggle of accessing quality health care,” said Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler (WA-03). “One way to expand care to underserved communities is the use of mobile medical units, which can bring many important services closer to folks living in remote and rural areas. That’s why I’m leading this bipartisan legislation, the MOBILE Health Care Act, that expands community health centers’ access to mobile medical units and helps keep our rural residents healthy.”
“Nevada’s Fourth District is one of the largest Congressional districts in the country, spanning over 52,000 square miles of Southern and Central Nevada,” said Rep. Steven Horsford (NV-04). “Community health centers and mobile clinics play a vital role in providing quality care to rural and underserved communities throughout Nevada. The bipartisan MOBILE Health Care Act, led by my good friend Rep. Susie Lee as well as Rep. Jamie Herrera Beutler, will invest in mobile clinics and ensure that community health centers have the resources and flexibility they need to serve our rural and underserved communities. I’m committed to ensuring that quality and affordable health care is within reach for every Nevadan.”
“We’ve seen great success in allowing Federally Qualified Health Centers to administer services through mobile units and other flexible options under temporary provisions enacted during the COVID-19 pandemic. The majority of my district in South Carolina is rural and my constituents face limited healthcare options without these flexibilities. I’m pleased to support the MOBILE Health Care Act so grant funding can continue helping folks in these rural, medically underserved areas into the future,” said Rep. Tom Rice (SC-07).
“For too long, the nationwide gap in accessibility of care between rural and urban America has disadvantaged families across Arizona’s First District, many of whom are older, lower-income, and must often travel hundreds of miles to receive even basic medical treatment,” said Rep. Tom O’Halleran (AZ-01). “I’m proud to support this commonsense legislation that will expand access to quality care in rural areas and support hardworking community health center doctors, nurses, and staff as they serve our communities.”
“The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed a number of vulnerabilities in our communities, one of which is the access to health care in rural areas,” said Rep. Tony Gonzales (TX-23). “Mobile health clinics have become a service that many of our underserved communities rely on. Expanding the New Access Points Grant program will lead to increased access to critical health care services and improve the quality of life in our rural populations. I’m proud to support this effort, which will ultimately lead to better served and healthier communities.”
“The residents of my district are often faced with the prospect of traveling long distances or lacking access altogether for critical health services,” said Rep. Chris Pappas (NH-01). “The bipartisan MOBILE Health Care Act will expand the use of mobile health units and support existing health clinics by allowing them to use grant funds to meet their patients' needs. I’m pleased to support this legislation to help ensure Granite Staters can access the care they need in their communities.”
“Expanding access to quality healthcare in rural and underserved communities is a top priority for me, particularly as we look to put an end to the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Rep. Fred Upton (MI-06). “Investing in mobile health centers is an important step to ensure that folks can be treated for any number of illnesses right in their communities instead of traveling long distances to receive care. The MOBILE Health Care Act is a bipartisan win for Michigan families and a real step forward in expanding healthcare to folks no matter where they live.”
“Federally qualified health centers play an essential role in Puerto Rico’s healthcare system, providing care for proportionally more Medicaid beneficiaries (62% vs. 46%) and patients living under the federal poverty level (84% vs. 68%) than health centers nationally. In our jurisdiction, where Medicaid does not provide non-emergency transportation and our public transportation system is poorly interconnected, the MOBILE Act will allow our health centers to reach our vulnerable populations, such as the elderly, those with chronic conditions and children, closer to their homes and make the delivery of more consistent healthcare a reality. It will also make our healthcare system more resilient by making access to healthcare independent from the centers’ permanent location. I thank my colleagues, Susie Lee and Jaime Herrera Beutler, for their leadership in this initiative,” said Rep. González-Colón (PR-AL).