A Republican bill with 3 Democratic cosponsors · See all 4 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Rural Hospital Flexibility Act of 2025 aims to amend the Social Security Act to strengthen Medicare rural hospital flexibility program grants. This bill expands the types of support available to critical access hospitals, certified rural health clinics, and rural emergency hospitals. It introduces new provisions for technical assistance, data analysis, and evaluation efforts to support existing grant recipients. The legislation also updates how State Offices of Rural Health use funds, including for computer hardware, software, and staff training. Furthermore, it establishes new rural health transformation grants to assist providers transitioning to new healthcare models. Finally, it allows for technical assistance specifically for hospitals seeking or maintaining rural emergency hospital designations.
Yes· 3 of 11
- Scored +8
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?
The bill directly targets the strengthening and transformation of healthcare services for rural populations.
- Scored +7
Does this make health care easier to get in general?
The bill enhances healthcare access in rural areas through transformation grants and technical assistance for various hospital models.
- Scored +6
Does this make mental health care easier to get?
The bill specifically provides support for services related to behavioral health and substance use disorders.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Support for Quality and Health Services: The bill expands support for critical access hospitals, certified rural health clinics, and rural emergency hospitals to include quality improvement, performance improvements, addressing population health, and providing services for behavioral health and substance use disorders (Section 2, paragraph 1).
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Technical Assistance for Grant Recipients: The Secretary may award grants to help entities carry out other existing grants by providing technical assistance, data analysis, and evaluation (Section 2, paragraph 3).
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Improved Hospital Operations and Training: State Offices of Rural Health can use funds to purchase computer software and hardware for eligible small rural hospitals, and to provide education and training for staff on billing, operations, and quality improvement (Section 2, paragraph 4, subparagraph E).
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Support for Healthcare Transitions: The bill allows for 5-year grants to help providers transition to new models, such as rural emergency hospitals, extended stay clinics, freestanding emergency departments, and the integration of telehealth or oral health services (Section s 2, paragraph 9, subparagraph A).
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Technical Assistance for Rural Emergency Hospitals: The Secretary may award grants to provide technical assistance, data analysis, and support to hospitals that are seeking or currently designated as rural emergency hospitals (Section 2, paragraph 10, subparagraph A).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Application Requirements for Transformation Grants: To receive rural health transformation grants, providers must undergo a detailed application process that requires describing how their transition will meet local needs and be sustainable, and must secure support from local organizations or the State as well as letters of support from key State payers like Medicaid and private insurance (Section 2, paragraph 9, subparagraph C).
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Application Processes for Technical Assistance: Entities seeking grants for technical assistance or data analysis must submit applications to the Secretary in a time and manner specified by the Secretary (Section 2, paragraph 3 and paragraph 10, subparagraph B).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Healthcare
- Does this make health care easier to get in general? — The bill enhances healthcare access in rural areas through transformation grants and technical assistance for various hospital models. Does this make mental health care easier to get? — The bill specifically provides support for services related to behavioral health and substance use disorders. Does this do more about addiction and overdose deaths? — By supporting behavioral health and substance use disorder services, the bill aids in the response to the opioid crisis. Does this put more money into Medicare, the health coverage for people over 65? — The bill strengthens Medicare rural hospital flexibility program grants to support rural healthcare providers. Does this make the country readier for the next outbreak? — The bill includes provisions for responding to public health emergencies within rural healthcare settings.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — The bill directly targets the strengthening and transformation of healthcare services for rural populations. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — Improved access to rural health services can benefit low-income residents in these areas. Would retired people be better off under this? — Enhanced rural hospital support benefits retirees living in rural areas. Would people over 65 be better off under this? — Improving rural hospital stability benefits seniors who rely on Medicare and local care.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this invest in rural communities? — The bill supports rural healthcare infrastructure and the evolution of rural health services.
- Education And Technology
- Does this get reliable internet to more people? — The bill supports the integration of telehealth services, which relies on improved digital infrastructure.
- 9/10/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 4/16/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 2/9/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 12/17/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
Sanford BishopDemocrat · Georgia
Shomari FiguresDemocrat · Alabama
Terri SewellDemocrat · Alabama
Glenn ThompsonRepublican · Pennsylvania