Outer Banks Times

Ways and Means GOP colleagues gathered with Congressman Greg Murphy to discuss local and rural healthcare in North Carolina. The representatives met with local officials, physicians, and hospital representatives in Belhaven and ECU Beaufort to examine access to rural healthcare.

Congressman Greg Murphy took to Twitter to announce the roundtable discussion, saying, "It was a pleasure to host a roundtable with my @WaysandMeansGOP colleagues to hear from local officials, physicians, and hospital representatives in Belhaven and ECU Beaufort to examine access to rural healthcare."

The Ways and Means Committee, the oldest committee in the United States Congress, focuses on tax writing and legislation. Established in 1789, the committee has had the participation of eight Presidents, eight Vice Presidents, 21 Speakers of the House of Representatives, and four Justices of the Supreme Court.

During their visit, the Ways and Means Committee members visited ECU Health Beaufort Hospital and ECU Health Medical Center in Beaufort and Pitt counties. They engaged with the local communities and received input from local government officials.

One of the main reasons for the committee's tour was to discuss local healthcare, which has become particularly relevant in North Carolina due to recent Medicaid budget issues. The committee addressed the challenges faced by rural America in accessing healthcare, including the issue of traveling long distances to receive necessary care.

Overall, the gathering of representatives and the Ways and Means Committee's visit to Belhaven and ECU Beaufort aimed to examine and address the issues surrounding local and rural healthcare in North Carolina.