The visit by the Republican senator provided an opportunity to discuss the realities of delivering health care in rural Iowa and the federal policies that impact access, quality, and sustainability.

During his time at Stewart Memorial, Grassley toured areas of the hospital, including the main entrance, rehabilitation department, emergency room, obstetrics, and medical-surgical 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 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 representatives 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. Grassley explained the ongoing legislative challenges tied to changing long-standing funding formulas and encouraged continued advocacy.

“We appreciated the opportunity to show Sen. Grassley our facility and speak candidly about the needs and pressures facing rural health care,” said Linn Block, chief executive officer 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.”