Davids, Colleagues Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Revitalize Rural Hospitals

WASHINGTON, DC — Today, Representative Sharice Davids (D-KS-03) introduced bipartisan legislation to strengthen rural hospital infrastructure and enhance patient care. With Kansas already losing several rural hospitals over the past decade — and last year’s devastating Medicaid cuts worsening the strain — this bill would help communities keep critical care closer to home and prevent more families from being forced to travel hours for treatment.

“Rural hospitals are already hanging on by a thread, and extreme Medicaid cuts are now forcing closures and leaving families with hours-long drives just to see a doctor,” said Davids. “This bipartisan bill helps keep rural hospitals open by strengthening the resources they need to provide care close to home, so people aren’t left scrambling when they need help the most.”

The Rural Hospital Revitalization Act would provide interest-free loans of up to 10 years through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)’s Community Facilities Program to support the construction and renovation of rural hospitals. The bill would allow rural hospitals to reinvest the savings from reduced debt costs into clinical care, workforce retention, and other operational needs.

Medicaid is a lifeline for rural hospitals, especially in states like Kansas that haven’t expanded coverage. Recent cuts, which Davids voted against, will strip more than $78 million annually from Kansas hospitals, threatening facilities that already serve large numbers of uninsured patients. With Medicaid covering one-fifth of hospital spending, these cuts will increase uncompensated care, worsen overall public health, and could push struggling hospitals past the breaking point — reducing access, worsening outcomes, and forcing Kansans to travel hours for treatment.

In introducing the bipartisan bill, Davids was joined by Representatives Jack Bergman (R-MI-01), Lauren Boebert (R-CO-04), Maxine Dexter (D-OR-03), Shomari Figures (D-AL-02), Jeff Hurd (R-CO-03), Tracey Mann (R-KS-01), Carol Miller (R-WV-01), and Jill Tokuda (D-HI-02).

"From Kula to Kahuku, rural hospitals across Hawai’i are grappling with rising expenses and deteriorating facilities, putting their future at risk and making it increasingly difficult to ensure care remains accessible in our local communities," said Representative Jill Tokuda (D-HI-02). “No one should have to buy a plane ticket, catch a ferry, or drive for hours just to see a doctor. That’s why I’m proud to introduce the Rural Hospital Revitalization Act to help rural hospitals improve their infrastructure and capacity to keep essential medical services close to home.”

National and regional organizations endorsing the bill include the National Rural Health Association, the National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health, the Eastern Plains Healthcare Consortium, the Association of Washington Public Health Districts, and Lincoln Health. 

Read the Rural Hospital Revitalization Act one-pager and bill text.