Bill > HR1417

This bill establishes and expands the Rural Health Care Facility Technical Assistance Program within the Department of Agriculture, which aims to provide targeted technical support to healthcare facilities in rural areas. The program will offer specialized assistance to eligible health facilities, including hospitals, clinics, and community health centers, helping them identify development needs, improve financial and operational strategies, and access agricultural department loan and grant programs. Priority will be given to facilities in health professional shortage areas or serving medically underserved populations, with specific considerations including the facility's age, financial vulnerability, and electronic health record needs. The Secretary of Agriculture will be responsible for implementing the program, conducting outreach, and selecting participants based on defined criteria. The bill requires annual reporting to congressional agricultural committees about the program's progress, outcomes, and effectiveness, and authorizes up to $2 million in funding annually from fiscal years 2026 through 2030. The program's broader goals include preventing rural healthcare facility closures, improving long-term financial positions, strengthening rural healthcare delivery, and helping facilities better compete for agricultural department resources.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Business and Industry

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/1417/all-info