Rural Health Resilience Act of 2026
- Bill Number
- H.R. 8504
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Agriculture and Food
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-04-27: Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
- Last Updated
- 2026-05-22T08:08:42Z
AI-Generated Summary
Rural Health Resilience Act of 2026
Purpose
This legislation establishes a federal program to provide loans and loan guarantees to rural health centers experiencing financial distress. Its goal is to prevent closures or cuts to essential services and maintain access to healthcare in rural communities.
Key Provisions
- Program Creation: Adds Section 375 to the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act, directing the Secretary of Agriculture to offer loans and loan guarantees for rural health centers.
- Eligibility: Applies to specific rural health facilities, including critical access hospitals, rural health clinics, federally qualified health centers, and others. Centers must be located in or serve rural areas and demonstrate financial distress through metrics such as low operating margins or limited cash reserves.
- Priority: Gives preference to sole community providers, those in high-poverty areas (20% or higher poverty rate), and facilities offering critical emergency or safety-net services.
- Allowed Uses: Funds may cover facility upgrades, operational costs (such as supplies and payroll, excluding bonuses), debt payments, working capital, and service line maintenance.
- Reporting: Requires a report to Congress within 18 months detailing program activities, outcomes, and financial stabilization effects, with a public summary available.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
The bill inserts a new stabilization program into Subtitle D of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act. This expands the types of assistance available under the Act to include direct support for healthcare operations and infrastructure in rural settings, which were not previously covered in this manner.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: Increases administrative responsibilities for the Department of Agriculture in reviewing applications, managing loans, and reporting on outcomes.
- Citizens: Aims to sustain healthcare access for rural residents by supporting facilities that might otherwise close or limit services.
- Rural Communities: Could reduce service disruptions but may involve federal loan obligations for participating centers.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Rural health centers and hospitals (such as critical access hospitals and federally qualified health centers).
- Patients and residents in rural areas.
- The Department of Agriculture.
- Congressional committees on agriculture.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
The program relies on existing federal spending and loan authority under agriculture statutes. It introduces no major constitutional changes but operates within Congress's power to appropriate funds and support rural development. No international relations effects are addressed.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Figures, Shomari [D-AL-2]
Cosponsors (6)
Rep. Bynum, Janelle S. [D-OR-5], Rep. Sewell, Terri A. [D-AL-7], Rep. Thompson, Bennie G. [D-MS-2], Rep. Beatty, Joyce [D-OH-3], Rep. Bacon, Don [R-NE-2], Rep. Van Orden, Derrick [R-WI-3]
Recent Actions
- 2026-04-27: Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
- 2026-04-27: Introduced in House
- 2026-04-27: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Rural Health Resilience Act of 2026 — issued 2026-04-27 — PDF (6 pages)