Alabama Rural Health Association Names Shelby 'Legislator Of The Year'

TUSCALOOSA, AL — Former Republican U.S. Senator Richard Shelby of Alabama has been named the Alabama Rural Health Association’s (ARHA)"Legislator of the Year" and was presented the award at the association's 2023 annual conference in Hoover.

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“Senator Shelby and his staff were always receptive to our advocacy for issues around rural health and other issues that impact rural Alabama,” ARHA President Farrell Turner said.

The ARHA says the Tuscaloosa native received the award due to his career of supporting rural health legislation, including the Save Rural Hospitals Acts of 2020 and 2021, Fair Medicare Payments Model Act of 2017, and multiple bills supporting telehealth, broadband, and other elements supporting rural health.

“Former Senator Shelby is an exemplary leader in policy and public service,” Northport native and ARHA President-Elect David L. Albright said. “We are grateful to him for a career supporting legislation building and sustaining communities across rural Alabama.”

ARHA has a membership of more than 1,000 health care professionals statewide, with the association being one of the largest in the nation. The ARHA advocates for legislation and policy viewed as beneficial to rural providers and facilities.

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