Rural Telehealth and Education Enhancement Act of 2025
- Bill Number
- H.R. 290
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Agriculture and Food
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-02-14: Referred to the Subcommittee on Commodity Markets, Digital Assets, and Rural Development.
- Last Updated
- 2026-02-27T09:07:04Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Rural Telehealth and Education Enhancement Act of 2025 aims to extend federal support for a program that provides grants to improve access to education and healthcare in rural areas through technology, such as online learning and remote medical consultations.
Key Provisions
- Reauthorizes the Distance Learning and Telemedicine Program under the Department of Agriculture.
- Extends the program's funding authorization through fiscal year 2030.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Amends the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 by updating the program's end date from fiscal year 2023 to fiscal year 2030, providing a seven-year extension.
- No other substantive changes to the program's operations, eligibility, or grant processes are introduced.
Potential Impacts
- On government agencies: Allows the Department of Agriculture to continue administering grants without interruption, potentially stabilizing budgeting and planning for rural development initiatives.
- On citizens: Enhances access to educational resources and telemedicine services for rural residents, helping to address geographic barriers to learning and healthcare.
- On international relations: Minimal impact, as the program focuses on domestic rural U.S. communities.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Rural communities and residents, who benefit from improved educational and health services.
- Educational institutions, such as schools and libraries in underserved areas, that receive grants for distance learning infrastructure.
- Healthcare providers in rural regions, who use telemedicine to deliver remote care.
- The U.S. Department of Agriculture, responsible for managing and distributing program funds.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: This is a routine reauthorization that maintains the existing framework without altering grant rules or oversight, ensuring compliance with prior congressional approvals.
- Constitutional: No significant issues; it aligns with Congress's authority to appropriate funds for agriculture and rural development under the Spending Clause.
- Political: Bipartisan sponsorship (introduced by representatives from both parties) highlights broad support for rural infrastructure, potentially influencing future farm bill discussions by signaling commitment to technology in agriculture-related programs.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Langworthy, Nicholas A. [R-NY-23]
Cosponsors (7)
Rep. Pingree, Chellie [D-ME-1], Rep. Pappas, Chris [D-NH-1], Rep. Sorensen, Eric [D-IL-17], Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5], Rep. Bishop, Sanford D. [D-GA-2], Rep. Salinas, Andrea [D-OR-6], Rep. Davis, Donald G. [D-NC-1]
Recent Actions
- 2025-02-14: Referred to the Subcommittee on Commodity Markets, Digital Assets, and Rural Development.
- 2025-01-09: Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
- 2025-01-09: Introduced in House
- 2025-01-09: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Rural Telehealth and Education Enhancement Act of 2025 — issued 2025-01-09 — PDF (2 pages)