(The Center Square) – U.S. Reps. Bryan Steil and Scott Fitzgerald urged Wisconsin public health officials to approve a clinic’s application for a status change, which they say would make it eligible for more federal benefits and strengthen access to affordable health care for rural, low income patients.
Rock River Community Clinic is currently classified as a “Look-Alike” clinic, meaning it meets all of the eligibility requirements to be a Federally Qualified Health Center, but does not receive funding from the Health Center Program federal grant. It is also ineligible for certain federal loan guarantees and malpractice coverage.
“The RRCC serves as an access point to medical, dental, and behavioral health services to the over 23,000 low-income residents across their 13 zip codes, resulting in quality care and cost-savings for the entire rural community,” the letter reads. “The clinic’s patients range from dairy farmers, agricultural workers, factory workers, childcare providers, members of the food and service industry, construction workers, and trade workers.”
Over 95% of RRCC’s patients fall below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level.
“The Rock River Community Clinic has long served our community with affordable, high quality health care. I’m working alongside @RepFitzgerald to provide the clinic with additional support so the health care center can continue to meet community needs,” he announced Friday on social media.
Shortages in health care funding have long been an issue in the state; in 2022, Wisconsin ranked 49th in the nation for public health funding.
“With data from a number of sources it was clear to leaders at the Medical College of Wisconsin that there was a need to expand the pipeline for physicians in less well-served geographies in the state, including rural-serving doctors,” said Dr. Joseph E. Kerschner, Executive Vice President of the Medical College of Wisconsin School of Medicine. “We met with health systems all over the state and made it our mission to find new ways to train physicians for these areas of the state who will go on to improve health care access.”
Gov. Tony Evers promised more investments in rural hospitals after closure announcements across the state, The Center Square reported in February.