Bipartisan Bill Aims to Keep Rural Kansas Hospitals Open and Improve Patient Care

Today, Representative Sharice Davids introduced a bipartisan bill designed to help rural hospitals remain open and improve health care services. The Rural Hospital Revitalization Act would offer interest-free loans through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Community Facilities Program. Hospitals could use the loans, available for up to 10 years, to build new facilities or update older buildings.

Supporters say the program would help hospitals lower debt costs so more money could go toward patient care, staffing and daily operations.

The bill comes as many rural hospitals in Kansas continue to struggle financially. Several have closed in the past decade, forcing residents in some communities to drive long distances for emergency care and medical treatment.

Hospital leaders also warn that recent Medicaid funding cuts could create more problems for rural health care systems. Davids’ office says Kansas hospitals could lose more than $78 million each year because of the cuts. Representative Tracey Mann also supports the bill.