Rep. Kiggans Makes Visit to Bon Secours Harbour View Medical Facility Amid Government Shutdown – Congresswoman Jen Kiggans (.gov)

Report on Legislative Healthcare Initiatives and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction: Public-Private Collaboration for Health and Well-being

A visit by Representative Jen Kiggans to the Bon Secours Harbor View Medical Center in Suffolk, VA, highlights a collaborative effort between public officials and private healthcare providers. This engagement underscores a commitment to advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

Advancing SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

Legislative actions and support for healthcare infrastructure directly contribute to achieving key targets within SDG 3. The initiatives focus on strengthening health systems, ensuring financial protection, and expanding access to care.

• Strengthening Health Systems and Workforce

  A supported investment of $50 billion for rural hospitals and health systems aims to bolster healthcare infrastructure. This funding helps organizations like Bon Secours expand access to care and strengthen their workforce, aligning with SDG Target 3.c to increase health financing and support for health workers.

• Promoting Universal Health Coverage (Target 3.8)

  Several legislative efforts are underway to ensure access to quality, affordable healthcare services for all, a cornerstone of Target 3.8.

  1. The Premium Tax Credit Extension Act: This bipartisan bill is designed to prevent increases in health insurance premiums, directly addressing the financial protection component of universal health coverage.
  2. TRICARE System Reform: Ongoing work to reform the TRICARE system aims to ensure it effectively serves military families, a specific demographic requiring reliable and accessible healthcare services.

• Enhancing Mental Health Services (Target 3.4)

  The introduction of the Integrating Social Workers Across Health Care Settings Act seeks to expand Medicare coverage for mental health services provided by Clinical Social Workers. This initiative directly supports SDG Target 3.4, which aims to promote mental health and well-being.

Addressing SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities Through Accessible Healthcare

A significant focus has been placed on leveraging technology to reduce health disparities among vulnerable populations, a key objective of SDG 10.

• Expanding Telehealth Access

  Efforts to preserve and expand telehealth services target specific groups to ensure equitable access to care.

  1. Veterans: The Protecting Veteran Access to Telemedicine Services Act would make permanent an exemption allowing VA providers to prescribe certain medications via telemedicine.
  2. Rural and Vulnerable Populations: The bipartisan Expanded Telehealth Access Act aims to increase access to virtual healthcare, overcoming geographical and mobility barriers for seniors, veterans, and those in rural areas.

Fostering SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

The engagement between Representative Kiggans and Bon Secours leadership exemplifies a public-private partnership essential for achieving sustainable development. Pat Davis-Hagens, market president for Bon Secours—Hampton Roads, acknowledged the importance of this collaboration, stating, “We are grateful for her leadership and advocacy on rural health initiatives. We value her continued support as we work to advance health care access and deliver quality, compassionate care.” This partnership model is critical for implementing policies that advance community health and well-being in line with the SDGs.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article highlights issues directly connected to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), primarily focusing on health, infrastructure, and equality.

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: This is the central theme of the article. It discusses improving patient outcomes, expanding access to care, strengthening the healthcare workforce, making healthcare affordable, and addressing specific health needs like mental health and telehealth services.
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure: The article mentions significant investments in health infrastructure and the use of modern technology in healthcare facilities. This relates to building resilient infrastructure and fostering innovation.
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities: The text emphasizes efforts to ensure healthcare access for specific, often underserved, groups such as seniors, veterans, and those living in rural areas, which directly addresses the goal of reducing inequalities.
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: By focusing on expanding access to care in specific communities like Suffolk and the greater Hampton Roads region, particularly through investments in rural hospitals, the article touches upon ensuring access to essential services for all citizens.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the article’s content, several specific SDG targets can be identified:

• Target 3.4: Promote mental health and well-being. The introduction of the Integrating Social Workers Across Health Care Settings Act to expand Medicare coverage for “proactive mental health services” for seniors and vulnerable Americans directly supports this target.
• Target 3.8: Achieve universal health coverage, including financial risk protection and access to quality, affordable essential health-care services. This is a core focus. The article mentions making healthcare “affordable and accessible,” the Premium Tax Credit Extension Act to prevent “soaring health care premiums,” and efforts to “expand access to care” and “deliver quality healthcare.”
• Target 3.c: Substantially increase health financing and the recruitment, development, training and retention of the health workforce. The article explicitly mentions supporting “$50 billion in investments for rural hospitals and health systems” and helping organizations “strengthen their workforce.”
• Target 9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure… with a focus on affordable and equitable access for all. The investment of $50 billion in “rural hospitals and health systems” and the description of the Bon Secours Harbour View Medical Center as a “state-of-the-art facility” align with developing quality health infrastructure.
• Target 10.2: Empower and promote the social inclusion of all, irrespective of age or other status. The article details specific legislative efforts aimed at ensuring healthcare access for distinct groups, including seniors (telehealth, mental health), veterans (TRICARE reform, telehealth), and those in “rural areas.”

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

The article implies several indicators that can be used to measure progress, although it does not provide specific quantitative data.

• Indicator for Target 3.8 (Universal Health Coverage):
  • Coverage of essential health services (Indicator 3.8.1): Progress is implied by actions to “expand access to care,” such as the expansion of telehealth services through the Expanded Telehealth Access Act and mental health services via the Integrating Social Workers Across Health Care Settings Act.
  • Proportion of population with large household expenditures on health (Indicator 3.8.2): Progress is implied by the introduction of the Premium Tax Credit Extension Act, which aims to “keep millions of Americans’ insurance premiums from skyrocketing.”
• Indicator for Target 3.c (Health Workforce):
  • Health worker density and distribution (Indicator 3.c.1): The goal to “strengthen their workforce” implies a focus on increasing the number and capacity of healthcare professionals.
• Indicator for Target 9.1 (Infrastructure):
  • Investment in infrastructure: The article explicitly mentions a financial figure of “$50 billion in investments for rural hospitals and health systems,” which serves as a direct input indicator for infrastructure development.
  • Adoption of new technology: The mention of “innovative smart hospital technology” is an indicator of upgrading technological capabilities in health infrastructure.

4. SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Summary Table

Source: kiggans.house.gov