Callie Barr

Congressional candidate Callie Barr will host a virtual press briefing at 1 p.m. on Tuesday on the growing health care crisis in Northern Michigan, a press release from Barr’s office stated. Barr is a Democrat from Traverse City.

According to the release, Barr’s discussion will focus on real-life examples showing how the system is failing families, including hospital closures, rising costs for families, and a shortage of providers.

The briefing will also connect health care to related issues including housing shortages, medical transportation, and workforce recruitment, the release stated.

Barr and guest experts will highlight urgent solutions, including:

— Extending Affordable Care Act subsidies and reversing Medicaid cuts;

— Expanding medical transportation for rural seniors;

— Increasing telehealth access and broadband reliability;

— Establishing interstate reciprocity for mental health providers;

— Programs to incentivize and attract medical professionals in rural communities;

— Addressing housing shortages that prevent providers from relocating to rural Michigan.

“Health care in rural Michigan is reaching a breaking point,” Barr said in the release. “When hospitals close their doors, when families drive hours to deliver a baby, and when rising costs put care out of reach, people suffer. We need solutions now — not later — to make sure Northern Michigan families get the care they deserve.”

To RSVP for the link, email michaelceraso@yourwinningmargins.com.