Dr. Andy Horine, a lifelong Carrollton resident and a physician at Carroll County Memorial Hospital, was invited to Washington, D.C., in mid-January to participate in a White House roundtable discussion focused on rural health care challenges and policy solutions.

The event brought together rural health care leaders, legislators, and administration officials for discussion on the Rural Health Transformation Fund and “The Great Healthcare Plan,” including topics such as “most favored nation” prescription drug pricing and strategies to strengthen health care access in underserved areas. Speakers at the event included President Donald Trump, CMS Administrator Mehmet Oz, M.D., cardiologist Andrew McCue, M.D., Senator Dan Sullivan of Alaska, Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen, Representatives Rob Bresnahan of Pennsylvania and Mike Lawler of New York, and Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins.

Dr. Horine was one of approximately 20 rural physicians nationwide selected to attend.

Horine was contacted early in the week by Oracle, a longtime partner of Carroll County Memorial Hospital. Because of his 16 years of his experience serving a rural community and his involvement in development, testing, and feedback for Oracle health care products—he fit the criteria requested by the White House.

“On Tuesday night, I got an email from the Executive Office of the President with a formal invitation,” Horine said. “Forty-eight hours later, I was on a plane headed to Washington, D.C.”

During the roundtable, Horine focused his remarks on ensuring that investments from the Rural Health Transformation Fund directly benefit patients in rural communities.

“My biggest concern was how we make sure this money gets to where it needs to go,” Horine said. “Whether it’s mobile integrated health care, strengthening county health department services, or updating critical access hospitals like CCMH—these funds should support the people we care for every day.”

Horine emphasized the importance of accountability measures tied to federal funding. “It was reassuring to hear that there are clawback provisions if the money isn’t used appropriately,” he said. “These are taxpayer dollars, and they should truly improve patient care.”

The roundtable included medical professionals from Montana, Wyoming, Kentucky, Tennessee, Texas, and beyond, as well as representatives of EMS and nurse practitioner organizations. For Dr. Horine, the opportunity to share the challenges faced in Carroll County with national decision-makers was meaningful.

“It made me realize it wasn’t a dog and pony show,” he said. “Everyone I talked to genuinely cared about what we experience in rural health care. Even if they don’t remember my name, maybe something I said will influence a decision down the line.”

The trip was Horine’s first time in Washington, D.C., and his first visit to the White House.

“To stand in the East Room and think about everything that’s happened there—it was mind-boggling for this Carroll County boy,” he said. “It’s something I’ll never forget.”

He also credits local help for getting him ready on short notice. After realizing his white coat no longer fit, he reached out to Sheila Scott, who tailored it overnight. “She turned it around in 19 hours,” Horine said. “She made it look phenomenal.”

Horine says he isn’t sure if he’ll ever have an experience like this again, but he’s grateful for the chance to represent Carroll County and rural physicians nationwide.

“It was wild. It was incredible,” he said. “I hope I made even a small difference for the people we serve.”

For more information about the services at Carroll County Memorial Hospital, visit our website http://www.carrollcountyhospital. org or call 660-542-1695.