Patti Jackson-Gehris, market president, UPMC North Central Pa., recently traveled to Washington, D.C., where she joined other rural health leaders and advocacy groups along with the Hospital and Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania to meet with federal lawmakers — including U.S. Rep. John Joyce, MD, U.S. Sen. John Fetterman, U.S. Rep. Dan Meuser, U.S. Rep. GT Thompson, U.S. Rep. Guy Reschenthaler, and U.S. Sen. Dave McCormick — about protecting access and funding to care in rural communities.

During the visit, leaders discussed the importance of the 340B Drug Pricing Program and how it helps hospitals stretch limited resources to support services such as cancer care, emergency treatment, and other critical local programs, all at no cost to taxpayers.

“For those of us who live and work in these communities, this is personal,” said Jackson-Gehris. “We are not just hospital workers, we are neighbors caring for friends and family. Programs like 340B help us ensure patients can access high-quality care close to home, and it is our serious responsibility to advocate for the resources that make that possible.”

Rural providers face ongoing challenges, including workforce shortages, growing health challenges, longer travel distances for patients, and tighter operating margins.

Hospital leaders shared firsthand perspectives with policymakers on how federal decisions directly affect their ability to maintain services and meet the needs of the communities they serve.