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Creston EMS and healthcare workers had the chance to speak with Congressman Zach Nunn Monday as he toured various Creston emergency services.
Topics of conversation included federal funding for emergency services, workforce shortages with health care and first responders and the impact of the ongoing government shutdown. Nunn first visited Greater Regional Health, where he met with hospital leaders and staff.
During his visit, Nunn promoted the Working Families Tax Cuts Act, also known as the “Big Beautiful Bill.” Nunn said the act brought $50 billion in rural health care safety net funding. He also shared details on his two bipartisan bills, the Train More Nurses Act and Train More Primary Care Doctors Act, which would expand medical training programs to help meet growing demand across rural communities.
“GRH would like to thank U.S. Congressman Nunn and his staff for visiting our facility today,” GRH Chief Quality Officer Kimberly Wheeler said. “We appreciate Congressman Nunn taking time to ask our leadership team for their input on important healthcare issues facing GRH and Iowa hospitals in general. We look forward to continuing to collaborate with both state and federal representatives to ensure GRH can continue to meet our mission to provide the highest quality health care and service to our patients and families served.”
Nunn then traveled to the Creston Fire Department where he shared his commitment to increasing tools, funds and personnel for Iowa emergency responders.
“We appreciate Congressman Nunn for taking time with members of the Creston Fire Department, Union County Sheriff’s Office and Creston Police Department, as well as community members,” Creston Firefighter Dillon Daughenbaugh said. “We are grateful to speak with him on important issues and for being accessible.”
In Nunn’s first trip to Union County this year, he said he was grateful for the opportunity.
“It was a privilege to be in Creston today visiting with the doctors, nurses and first responders who keep this community safe,” Nunn said. “The government shutdown puts real pressure on the health care systems and emergency services Iowa families count on. But that’s just one of the many challenges these professionals are facing. These conversations help ensure federal resources are targeted to the real needs on the ground.”
Nunn was elected as U.S. Congressman in 2022. He previously served in the U.S. Air Force, Iowa Senate and Iowa House of Representatives.