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Senator Chuck Grassley Visits Stewart Memorial Community Hospital to Discuss Rural Healthcare Challenges

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Stewart Memorial Community Hospital welcomed U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley on Thursday, May 29, for a facility tour and a question-and-answer session with hospital department leaders, staff, and board members. The visit provided an important opportunity to discuss the realities of delivering healthcare in rural Iowa and the federal policies that impact access, quality, and sustainability.

During his time at Stewart Memorial, Senator Grassley toured areas of the hospital, including the Main Entrance, Rehabilitation Department, Emergency Room, Obstetrics (OB), and Medical-Surgical (Med-Surg) units. Following the tour, he took part in a Q&A session with hospital department leaders, staff, and board members, listening to firsthand accounts of both success stories and ongoing challenges.

Key Topics of Discussion Included:

  • Medicare Advantage (MA) Concerns: Hospital representatives shared local examples of care delays and denials under MA plans, as well as the administrative burden and financial strain caused by delayed payments. These issues directly impact patient care and provider capacity in rural settings.
  • Support for OB and Mental Health Services: As a Critical Access Hospital, Stewart Memorial emphasized the need to protect and fund essential services like obstetrics and mental health, which are increasingly difficult to sustain due to workforce shortages and reimbursement issues.
  • Reimbursement Rates and Legislative Extenders: The discussion also touched on rural reimbursement inequities and the reliance on short-term “extender” packages in federal legislation. Senator Grassley explained the ongoing legislative challenges tied to changing long-standing funding formulas and encouraged continued advocacy.

“We appreciated the opportunity to show Senator Grassley our facility and speak candidly about the needs and pressures facing rural healthcare,” said Linn Block, CEO of Stewart Memorial Community Hospital. “It’s vital that our representatives understand how federal decisions impact our ability to serve patients here in Lake City and the surrounding communities.”

Stewart Memorial thanks Senator Grassley for visiting and for taking time to listen, learn, and engage on the future of rural healthcare.