Briel Advances Bill Addressing Rural Healthcare Challenges

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – In effort to fill healthcare gaps in Illinois’ rural communities, state Rep. Amy “Murri” Briel, D-Ottawa, successfully passed a measure out of committee creating the Rural Hospital Task Force to investigate rural healthcare challenges.

“Rural hospitals are lifelines for smaller towns, and each closure represents thousands of families losing access to the most basic care,” said Briel. “Studying why this is happening is key to finding solutions, and I’m pleased this bill is moving forward.”

Briel is working to address hospital closures and a loss of specialty care that have hit towns across Illinois. In the last two years the Illinois Valley lost both branches of St. Margaret’s Hospital (SMH), and Planned Parenthood Ottawa is one of many reproductive health centers to dissolve this month, adding to concerns that areas will be left without reproductive, specialty, or emergency care. Briel’s Rural Hospital Task Force will unite policymakers, healthcare experts, and community leaders to examine actionable policy solutions to combat the high number of hospitals and healthcare providers closing in rural communities.

“I look forward to bringing this bill in front of the House floor to garner support for improved rural healthcare access,” said Briel. “My communities in Northwest Illinois are running out of options, and towns across Illinois feel the same pressure. It’s about time we dedicate real resources for real solutions.”

The Rural Hospital Task Force Act (House Bill 1301) passed out of the Public Health Committee with bipartisan support and will be reported to the House floor for debate.