Rural hospitals and the federal government have to work together to keep them going.

That is the message from central Illinois Congressman Rodney Davis who heard from Warner Hospital and Health Services CEO Paul Skowron recently in Washington, DC about the funding challenges that could ensue if the federal government makes cuts to Medicare. Davis indicates it is his goal to help keep that funding in place for central Illinois.

To that end, Davis says the two sides have to work together not only to fund them but to get more nurses and doctors into their facilities.

Davis says the nursing shortage is causing a lot of problems but he looks forward to working with healthcare providers to bring programs that give opportunities to nurses and doctors in rural areas.