Commodity Markets, Digital Assets, and Rural Development Subcommittee, Agriculture Committee
Introduced
In Committee
On Floor
Passed Chamber
Enacted
This bill establishes and codifies the Rural Health Care Facility Technical Assistance Program within the Department of Agriculture, replacing the previous Rural Hospital Technical Assistance Program. The program is designed to provide tailored technical assistance and training to eligible rural health care facilities. This assistance will help facilities identify development needs for maintaining essential services, better manage their financial and business strategies, and successfully apply for Department of Agriculture loan and grant programs. The primary goals of the program are to improve the long-term financial position and operational efficiency of these facilities, prevent their closure, and strengthen healthcare delivery in rural areas. The Secretary of Agriculture will engage in outreach to encourage participation and will prioritize facilities that are existing borrowers or grantees of USDA rural development agencies. Other selection criteria include the facility's financial vulnerability, physical state, electronic health record needs, and whether it serves a health professional shortage area or medically underserved population. The bill authorizes up to $2,000,000 annually for fiscal years 2026 through 2030 and mandates annual reports to Congress detailing the program's progress and outcomes.
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Timeline
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Commodity Markets, Digital Assets, and Rural Development.
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Commodity Markets, Digital Assets, and Rural Development.
Agriculture and Food
Rural Health Care Facility Technical Assistance Program Act
USA119th CongressHR-1417| House
| Updated: 3/28/2025
This bill establishes and codifies the Rural Health Care Facility Technical Assistance Program within the Department of Agriculture, replacing the previous Rural Hospital Technical Assistance Program. The program is designed to provide tailored technical assistance and training to eligible rural health care facilities. This assistance will help facilities identify development needs for maintaining essential services, better manage their financial and business strategies, and successfully apply for Department of Agriculture loan and grant programs. The primary goals of the program are to improve the long-term financial position and operational efficiency of these facilities, prevent their closure, and strengthen healthcare delivery in rural areas. The Secretary of Agriculture will engage in outreach to encourage participation and will prioritize facilities that are existing borrowers or grantees of USDA rural development agencies. Other selection criteria include the facility's financial vulnerability, physical state, electronic health record needs, and whether it serves a health professional shortage area or medically underserved population. The bill authorizes up to $2,000,000 annually for fiscal years 2026 through 2030 and mandates annual reports to Congress detailing the program's progress and outcomes.