Rep. Andy Harris (R-MD) is praising President Donald Trump for delivering real results to rural Maryland, announcing that more than $16 million in Rural Health Transformation Program funding is now coming to the state to address critical healthcare shortages.
In a statement, Harris, a physician and the sole member of the Maryland congressional delegation to support the Rural Health Transformation Fund, highlighted the challenges faced by his constituents on the Eastern Shore and across rural Maryland.
"Access to quality healthcare should never depend on where an American lives," Harris said. "Yet for Americans on Maryland's Eastern Shore and across the rural parts of the state, shortages of medical professionals and limited healthcare facilities have made receiving timely, reliable care increasingly difficult."
Funding Will Recruit and Retain Providers
The funding, secured through the Working Families Tax Cuts legislation, will enable rural communities to recruit and retain nurses, physician assistants, physicians, and other essential healthcare professionals.
"Thanks to President Donald Trump and his administration, more than $16 million in Rural Health Transformation Program funding is now coming to Maryland to enable rural communities to recruit and retain nurses, physician assistants, physicians and other essential healthcare professionals — with many tens of millions of dollars more to follow to help rural healthcare," Harris stated.
Harris Calls Out Maryland Democrats
Harris also criticized Maryland Democrats and the state's liberal media for trying to take credit for the funding despite opposing the legislation that made it possible.
"Unfortunately, some Maryland Democrats — aided and abetted by members of the Maryland liberal media — have been quick to take credit for this funding despite repeatedly criticizing the very legislation that made it possible," Harris said.
He emphasized that the investments were secured through the Working Families Tax Cuts, which he supported despite "repeated bashing and constant criticism from the entire Maryland Democratic delegation."
Expanding Care for Vulnerable Populations
The funding will help expand care for elderly residents, veterans, and those facing chronic diseases, bringing services closer to where they live.
"Thanks to Trump, his administration and my vote in support of this legislation, rural Maryland now has an opportunity to recruit and retain essential medical professionals and expand care so our elderly population, our veterans and those facing chronic diseases can have easier access to care — closer to where they live," Harris concluded.
