Bill > S3250

This bill proposes to amend the Medicare Rural Hospital Flexibility Program to provide expanded support for rural healthcare facilities, particularly small and critical access hospitals. The bill authorizes grants and support activities to help rural hospitals improve quality, address population health, transform services, and manage behavioral health and substance use disorders. Specifically, it supports critical access hospitals in converting to rural emergency hospitals, provides technical assistance for grant recipients, and establishes a funding mechanism where State Offices of Rural Health can apply for grants on behalf of eligible small rural hospitals with fewer than 50 beds. The bill allows these hospitals to use grant funds for technology purchases, staff training, and system reform programs. It also expands outreach efforts to help rural hospitals access graduate medical education funding and residency positions, targeting facilities in rural areas, sole community hospitals, and rural emergency hospitals. Additionally, the bill extends funding provisions and removes previous fiscal year limitations, ensuring ongoing support for rural healthcare infrastructure and services.

Budget and Finance

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/3250/all-info