U.S. Rep. John Rose (TN-6) kicked off a listening tour on healthcare at Cookeville Regional Medical Center Monday.
Rose said he learned about the devastating toll COVID-19 is "again taking on our community" and the challenges it is presenting for CRMC and other hospitals across the state and nation.
With capacity becoming a concern statewide, Rose said CRMC's critical care unit is full with more than a dozen on ventilators and an increase in weekend fatalities.
"I think it is a real stress," Rose said. "There is a strong belief on their part that additional assistance to our medical care professionals will be needed to help make sure they are able to withstand the financial burden of this surge, just like we were providing last year."
"We plan to roll up our sleeves and get to work on helping to make sure that, from the federal level, we are providing any assistance to frontline health care providers," Rose said.
He also said vaccinations is one major tool in the arsenal to fight COVID-19, and stated he firmly believes the effectiveness of three vaccines developed.
"That is the key to getting COVID-19 under control," Rose said.
Rose said the purpose of this tour shows his "continued dedication" to ensure all, especially those in rural areas, have access to quality health care.
In addition to visiting with CRMC, Rose listened in on the first Sixth District Community Pharmacy Advisory Council, which is supposed to keep our representatives informed on the challenges faced by independent community pharmacies.
He also met with Fentress County Executive Jimmy Johnson and representatives from UT Medical Center concerning a future satellite emergency room to serve the area.
"Unfortunately, the hospital in Fentress County closed more than two years ago and has not reopened," Rose said. "It has created a stress on this community… especially because of the less than adequate transportation arteries leading into and out of Jamestown and Fentress County."
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