Torres Small Invites Local Rural Health Care Provider as Guest to 2020 State of the Union

Washington, DC – Torres Small announced today that Dr. Steven Stewart, a family medicine practitioner at Socorro General Hospital, will join her as her guest at the State of the Union in Washington, DC, today, February 4, 2020. Dr. Stewart* has been serving patients in rural New Mexico at Socorro General since 2010. 

Torres Small invited Dr. Stewart to highlight their shared commitment to serving rural patients in New Mexico and to uplift the story of families and patients across New Mexico’s Second Congressional District.

“Everywhere I go, constituents tell me stories about the challenge of getting affordable health care close to home. It’s why during my first year, I made it a point to visit hospitals all over the district just like Socorro General to learn about their efforts to serve patients in rural communities,” said Torres Small. “I was immediately impressed by Socorro General’s staff, particularly by their dedication to providing quality care.  During the discussion while on my first visit, it became clear that many of the most difficult challenges they face are related to maternal health care.  They described how in rural communities women are often unable to access all the necessary pre-natal care which increases the risk of pregnancies.  It was this conversation, and the many others I had like it, that inspired me to introduce the Rural MOMS Act, which if passed by the House and signed into law, would help to make pre-natal care more accessible to thousands of mothers in rural communities across the country.”

When asked about why he accepted the invitation to serve as a guest for the State of the Union, Dr. Stewart shared:

“I feel that access to health care is incredibly important, whether it’s internet access, a van ride, or being lucky enough to have a local medical facility for care. I really appreciate that Congresswoman Torres Small is working to address these issues. We’re all trying to support rural healthcare, we’re all trying to help the health care of everyone, it’s a bipartisan thing, it’s not red or blue. I hope we can increase awareness of the struggles we face in rural healthcare,” said Dr. Stewart.

Congresswoman Torres Small has supported several pieces of legislation to expand health care access in New Mexico including the Training the Next Generation of Primary Care Doctors Act, the Rural MOMS Act, and Maternal Health Quality Improvement Act. Torres Small also helped pass 11 bills this Congress to lower drug costs, protect people with pre-existing conditions, and reverse efforts to undermine the progress made under the Affordable Care Act – including the CREATES Act, which was recently signed into law. The CREATES Act will make it easier for generic drugs to come to market, save taxpayer dollars and help lower prescription drug costs.

Torres Small has also championed the Lower Drug Costs Now Act (H.R. 3), landmark legislation that would give Medicare the power to negotiate directly with drug companies to bring down prices and make those savings available to hardworking families across America.

*Please note Dr. Stewart is attending the State of the Union Address in his personal capacity. No quotes or mention of his name should serve as a representation of Socorro General Hospital or Presbyterian Healthcare Services.

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