Bill > S4204

This bill, the Rural Health Innovation Act of 2026, aims to improve healthcare access in rural areas by establishing two new programs. First, it creates a "Rural Health Center Innovation Awards program" to provide grants to eligible entities, including Federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) and rural health clinics (RHCs), or entities that agree to become one. These grants, up to $750,000 in the first year and $500,000 in subsequent years for a total of five years, will help these centers serve as urgent care and triage facilities in rural areas, equipped with professional clinical staff and necessary resources like labs and x-ray machines. Second, it establishes a "Rural Health Department Enhancement Program" that will award competitive grants, up to $500,000 annually for five years, to local public health departments located in rural areas. These grants will help these departments enhance their capacity to provide emergency services, triage and transport to emergency departments, and primary care, by allowing them to acquire medical equipment, hire additional providers, and conduct community outreach. Both programs are authorized to receive $25 million annually from fiscal years 2027 through 2031.