[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E944-E945]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             CONGRATULATING APPALACHIAN REGIONAL HEALTHCARE

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. HAROLD ROGERS

                              of kentucky

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 26, 2010

  Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate 
Appalachian Regional Healthcare for being honored as the 2010 
Outstanding Rural Health Organization by the National Rural Health 
Association.
  Appalachian Regional Healthcare, ARH, is a not-for-profit health 
system which is the largest provider of care and single largest 
employer in southeastern Kentucky. Throughout its nine hospitals, as 
well as in multi-specialty physician practices, home health agencies, 
HomeCare Stores and retail pharmacies, ARH provides our region with 
crucial quality health care to 350,000 residents across eastern 
Kentucky and southern West Virginia. The ARH system employs 4,700 
employees who are firmly committed to its mission of improving the 
health and promoting the well-being of all people in eastern Kentucky 
and Southern West Virginia. For ARH, providing quality and affordable 
coverage is the utmost priority. In the past 12 months, ARH provided 
more than $107 million in uncompensated care for the uninsured and 
underinsured.
  Each year, the National Rural Health Association honors outstanding 
individuals and organizations in the field of rural health. The 
Outstanding Rural Health Organization Award recognizes any group or 
organization that has improved access to health services and 
information for people in rural areas through innovative, comprehensive 
approaches. Factors considered for the award include outreach, 
preventative health and education, quality and efficiency of care, and 
strong community support and involvement.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating this 
bright star in my region. The Board of Trustees, and the fine doctors, 
nurses and staff of ARH should be very proud of their accomplishment 
and recognition of their unwavering efforts to provide quality health 
care to working families, children, and seniors.

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