U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-Kansas), visited Ness, Rush, and Pawnee Counties on April 2 to meet with rural health providers, farmers, and livestock producers. The visit focused on strengthening rural health care systems, supporting conservation practices in agriculture, and expanding opportunities for Kansas producers.
Marshall began his day at the Ness County Health Department where he discussed essential services such as immunizations, health screenings, home health care, WIC nutrition support, and family planning. He addressed policies affecting rural providers and highlighted funds from the Rural Health Transformation Fund that delivered $221.9 million directly to Kansas for sustaining rural health systems. Marshall also mentioned fiscal year 2026 appropriations priorities aimed at strengthening hospitals in rural areas and expanding workforce pipelines.
During a stop at Zach Stejskal’s farm, Marshall learned about conservation techniques like terracing and no-till farming that are supported by the National Resource Conservation Service and local conservation districts. These methods help reduce runoff and improve soil quality for long-term productivity among Kansas farmers. He also discussed recent changes brought by Working Families Tax Cuts related to crop insurance updates and qualifications for beginning farmers.
Marshall’s office provides services including military academy nominations, assistance with federal agencies, American flag requests, internships and tour arrangements to benefit Kansas residents according to the official website. He served seven years in the U.S. Army Reserves according to his official website. As a fifth-generation farm kid who was the first in his family to pursue higher education—earning degrees from Butler County Community College, Kansas State University and the University of Kansas School of Medicine—Marshall brings both agricultural experience and medical expertise according to his official website.
He chairs subcommittees on conservation within agriculture as well as primary health within education policy areas according to his official website. In addition to championing reforms in healthcare delivery for rural communities through legislative committees focused on agriculture; nutrition; forestry; finance; education; labor; pensions; budget—he practiced obstetrics and gynecology for over 25 years delivering more than 5,000 babies according to his official website.
The broader impact of these visits is seen in efforts aimed at securing resources for sustainable healthcare infrastructure while advancing conservation practices critical for future generations of Kansas farmers.
