By Edelia J. Carthan, Ed.D.,
Editor,
In a significant move to demonstrate the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to improving the health and well-being of rural communities, Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra visited Tougaloo College in Mississippi, Monday, February 26, 2024. This visit was a part of the Investing in America Tour, aimed at showcasing the impact of President Joe Biden’s policies on communities throughout the nation, especially those historically marginalized or overlooked, such as rural areas.
During his visit, Secretary Becerra, along with Congressman Bennie Thompson (MS-02), participated in a roundtable discussion with healthcare providers and patients. This conversation focused on the unique healthcare challenges faced by rural communities in Mississippi, highlighting the administration’s proactive measures towards healthcare improvement. The event, which was open to the media, underscored the administration’s dedication to transparency and open dialogue.
The visit highlighted several key HHS initiatives aimed at enhancing healthcare access and reducing costs for rural populations. Notably, through the Inflation Reduction Act, an estimated 73,000 Mississippians are expected to save an average of $364 annually on prescription drugs starting in 2025.
Additionally, in Fiscal Year 2023, the HHS, via the Health Resources and Services Administration’s (HRSA) Federal Office of Rural Health Policy (FORHP), allocated approximately $173 million towards rural health improvement. This funding supported a variety of projects, including a $90 million investment in rural behavioral health services and nearly $65 million to boost the rural healthcare workforce.
“These investments demonstrate our unwavering commitment to enhancing healthcare access and building a stronger healthcare workforce in rural areas,” Secretary Becerra stated, emphasizing the tangible steps being taken to improve healthcare in underserved regions.
The discussions also covered crucial topics such as the importance of dental hygiene for overall health, the need for Medicaid expansion, and the challenges of healthcare service accessibility in rural areas.
Dr. Regina Turner, a participant in the discussion, linked oral health directly to broader health issues, stating, “Oral health is the pathway to the rest of your body… I can almost tell who has heart trouble once I look at their gums. I can tell who has diabetes by looking at their gums.”
Becerra highlighted the necessity of federal and state collaboration in healthcare initiatives: “There are things that we are trying to do at the federal level because Congressman Thompson has given us those opportunities and the resources. We just hope states will adopt them because to not expand Medicaid, to not expand access to postpartum care is simply telling your families we don’t care enough to keep you healthy.”
Despite opposition from certain political figures, such as Governor Tate Reeves who has expressed resistance to expanding government-run healthcare, the Biden-Harris Administration remains focused on its goal to improve health outcomes for rural Americans. This visit to Mississippi not only reaffirmed the administration’s strong commitment to health equity but also facilitated crucial conversations and laid the groundwork for future actions to meet the healthcare needs of rural communities, ensuring no American is left behind in the pursuit of a healthier nation.
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