Governor Gretchen Whitmer is a lifelong Michigander. She is a lawyer, an educator, former prosecutor, State Representative and Senator. She was the first woman to lead a Senate caucus. But the most important title she boasts is MOM. Inspired by her family, she’s devoted her life to building a stronger Michigan for everyone.
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November 12, 2021
WHEREAS, rural communities in Michigan and throughout the United States are wonderful places to live and work - they are places where people know each other, listen to and respect each other, and work together to benefit the community; and,
WHEREAS, rural America is the economic engine that helped the United States become the world leader it is today; and,
WHEREAS, rural residents possess a selfless, creative, community-minded spirit; and,
WHEREAS, meeting the unique health care needs of those residents is constantly evolving, as rural communities face accessibility issues, a lack of health care providers, an aging population suffering from a greater number of chronic conditions, and larger percentages of un- and underinsured citizens; and,
WHEREAS, ambulatory and emergency medical services are especially critical in rural America, where 20 percent of the nation's population lives but nearly 60 percent of all trauma deaths occur; and,
WHEREAS, rural hospitals - in addition to being sources of innovation and resourcefulness that reach beyond geographical boundaries to deliver quality care - are typically the economic foundation of their communities, with every dollar spent generating about $2.20 for the local economy; and,
WHEREAS, being a rural health care provider provides tremendous opportunities to offer more comprehensive, compassionate, patient-centered, and holistic care to patients; and,
WHEREAS, the Michigan Office of Rural Health and the National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health play a distinct and critical role by leading efforts to address the unique health care needs of our rural citizens; and,
WHEREAS, I encourage citizens to recognize the unique health care needs and opportunities that exist in rural communities, and recognize the Michigan Center for Rural Health and the National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health for the valuable services they provide to address those needs and opportunities;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Gretchen Whitmer, governor of Michigan, do hereby proclaim November 18, 2021, as Rural Health Day and encourage citizens to honor our rural communities as wonderful places to live and work.