Congresswoman Hinson Tours WinnMed, Stresses Support for Rural Hospitals

DECORAH — Congresswoman Ashley Hinson toured WinnMed's newly opened Obstetrics unit and the under-construction expansion of its Surgery unit on Thursday, discussing federal initiatives to support rural healthcare. Hinson emphasized the importance of modernizing healthcare infrastructure and strengthening recruitment efforts to address the challenges faced by independent rural hospitals like WinnMed. During the visit, Hinson highlighted a $1.68 million federal funding request to aid WinnMed's surgical expansion, calling it a crucial step toward attracting specialists to rural communities. "From my perspective, the $1,680,000 I've asked for to expand surgical facilities helps with recruitment and alleviates pressures they might have, so they can better recruit specialists right here to rural America," she said. Hinson also underscored the value of telemedicine and partnerships with institutions like Gundersen Health for neonatal care and complex cases. Hinson addressed workforce challenges in rural healthcare, pointing to potential federal solutions, including loan forgiveness programs, on-site training initiatives, and enhanced education pipelines. "We're having conversations about cyber, AI, and tech, and what the pipeline and educational programs need to look like. Some strategies include incentivizing employers to offer on-site training and continuing loan forgiveness programs that match workforce needs," she explained. Your contribution fuels the stories that shape Decorah—make a difference today. Mental health access for healthcare workers was another key topic. Hinson acknowledged burnout in high-demand environments and stressed the need to recruit more mental health professionals. "I saw that they are actively recruiting psychiatry here. Making it a great place to work, with modern technology and beautiful facilities, helps reduce strain on employees," she said, praising WinnMed's improvements. The Congresswoman also discussed healthcare costs, citing labor, prescription drugs and supply chain issues as significant contributors. She emphasized the need for quality assurance in medical supplies and equipment, particularly regarding imports from countries like China. "We need to ensure costs and quality are synced up. Incentivizing domestic manufacturing can cut costs and ensure better readiness," Hinson said. WinnMed's new and expanded facilities aim to serve patients within a 90-mile radius, providing advanced treatments close to home. "Access to state-of-the-art care here in Decorah is incredible. People in Iowa will be very grateful to have this," Hinson said. Unlock a world of knowledge! Sign up for free DecorahNews.com newsletters and receive local news, local events and everything that is happening in and around Decorah.