Bill Summary
The "Rural Health Care Facilities Revitalization Act" is legislation aimed at supporting distressed rural health care facilities by allowing them to access federal agricultural credit assistance for various purposes. Specifically, these facilities—including hospitals, clinics, and long-term care facilities—can use this assistance to refinance debt, update essential services and technology (like telehealth systems), and cover ancillary needs such as operating expenses.
The Act stipulates that assistance can be provided under certain conditions: it must help maintain access to health services in rural communities, improve the financial stability of the facility, and meet the financial requirements set by the Rural Development Agency. Additionally, there is a provision for waiving certain requirements for facilities that are insolvent or located in areas defined as persistent poverty or socially vulnerable.
The Act ensures that rural health facilities have the necessary resources to continue operating and improving their services, thus addressing the healthcare needs of rural populations. The provisions of the Act will be effective six months after its enactment.
Possible Impacts
Here are three examples of how the "Rural Health Care Facilities Revitalization Act" could affect people:
1. **Increased Access to Healthcare Services**: By allowing rural health facilities to refinance debt and update their technology and equipment, the legislation could enable these facilities to maintain or expand their services. This means that residents in rural areas would have better access to essential healthcare services, including emergency care, preventative services, and specialized treatments, reducing the need for long travel to urban centers for medical care.
2. **Improved Telehealth Services**: The bill specifically mentions the use of funds to update telehealth services and online databases. This would enhance the ability of rural healthcare providers to offer remote consultations and follow-ups, making healthcare more accessible for individuals who may have mobility issues or live far from healthcare facilities. Patients would benefit from receiving timely care without the need to travel long distances, which is particularly crucial for those with chronic illnesses or disabilities.
3. **Financial Stability for Health Facilities**: The act aims to improve the financial position of distressed rural healthcare facilities, which can lead to job security for healthcare workers and stability for the local economy. By supporting the operational expenses and reserve funds of these facilities, the legislation can help prevent closures or cutbacks, ensuring that healthcare workers remain employed and that communities continue to have access to necessary health services. This, in turn, can have positive ripple effects on the overall health of the community, as access to consistent care is linked to better health outcomes.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 7514 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 7514
To authorize rural health facilities to use certain Federal
agricultural credit assistance for the purpose of refinancing debt
obligations, updating necessary services, technology, and equipment,
and supporting ancillary needs.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
February 11, 2026
Ms. Salinas (for herself, Mr. Moolenaar, Ms. Tokuda, and Mr. Moylan)
introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on
Agriculture
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To authorize rural health facilities to use certain Federal
agricultural credit assistance for the purpose of refinancing debt
obligations, updating necessary services, technology, and equipment,
and supporting ancillary needs.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Rural Health Care Facilities
Revitalization Act''.
SEC. 2. ASSISTANCE FOR DISTRESSED RURAL HEALTH CARE FACILITIES.
(a) In General.--Subtitle A of the Consolidated Farm and Rural
Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1922-1936c) is amended by adding at the end
the following:
``SEC. 310J. ASSISTANCE FOR DISTRESSED RURAL HEALTH CARE FACILITIES.
``(a) In General.--A health care facility, including a hospital,
behavioral health facility, health care clinic (including a mobile
health care clinic), home health agency, and long-term care facility,
in a rural area may use assistance provided under section 306(a) for a
community facility, or under section 310B, to--
``(1) refinance a debt obligation;
``(2) update a telehealth, equipment, or online database;
or
``(3) support ancillary needs, including operating expenses
and reserve funds.
``(b) Limitations.--A facility may use assistance pursuant to
subsection (a) only if doing so would--
``(1) help preserve access to a health service in a rural
community;
``(2) meaningfully improve the financial position of the
facility; and
``(3) otherwise meet the financial feasibility and security
adequacy requirements of the Rural Development Agency.
``(c) Waiver.--In the case of an application from a facility
referred to in subsection (a) of this section for assistance under
section 306(a) for a community facility, or under section 310B, the
Secretary may waive the requirement of section 302(a)(1)(D) if the
facility that is insolvent or located in a persistent poverty area,
socially vulnerable community (as determined by the Secretary), or
distressed area (as determined by the Secretary).
``(d) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) Persistent poverty area.--The term `persistent
poverty area' means an area with a poverty rate of 20 percent
or more for 4 consecutive time periods, approximately 10 years
apart, spanning approximately 30 years.
``(2) Rural area.--The term `rural area' means an area with
a population of 50,000 or fewer inhabitants that is not an
urbanized area adjacent or contiguous to a city with a
population of more than 50,000 inhabitants.''.
(b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) shall
take effect 6 months after the date of the enactment of this Act.
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