DURBIN AMENDMENT TO HELP RURAL HOSPITALS AT GREATEST RISK OF CLOSURE DEFEATED BY REPUBLICANS IN AG COMMITTEE

WASHINGTON, Aug. 6 -- Sen. Dick Durbin issued the following press release:

WASHINGTON - During today's consideration of the Farm Bill in the Senate Agriculture Committee, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) offered an amendment that would provide federal grants to rural hospitals at risk of closure. Rural hospitals are facing severe financial strain due to major federal funding cuts by congressional Republicans. Durbin's amendment would have provided $200 million a year for grants to rural hospitals at greatest risk of closure. Every Republican voted against Durbin's amendment.

Rural hospitals are the backbone of their communities, and often the largest employers, contributing nearly $5 billion in direct spending on payroll, go...