Bills · HR 1417
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
House BillHR 1417Agriculture and Food
Rural Health Care Facility Technical Assistance Program Act
INTRO FEB 18· LAST ACTION MAR 28
READING
5MIN
COSPONSORS
28BIPARTISAN
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
- Introduced only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed House
Passed Senate
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-writtenMany rural communities across the United States face a crisis in healthcare access, with numerous hospitals and clinics struggling financially or closing down. When a rural healthcare facility closes, it can leave residents without nearby access to emergency care, preventative services, and specialized treatments, forcing them to travel long distances for medical attention.
This bill matters because it establishes a dedicated and expanded federal program to provide practical support and expertise to these vulnerable rural facilities. If it becomes law, it could help facilities improve their financial planning, operational efficiency, and ability to secure necessary funding, potentially preventing closures and strengthening the healthcare safety net in rural America. If the bill does not become law, rural healthcare facilities may continue to face significant financial and operational challenges without this focused federal assistance, potentially leading to more closures and further reductions in access to care for rural populations.
KEY PROVISIONS
5AI-extractedPROVISION 01
The bill renames the "Rural Hospital Technical Assistance Program" to the "Rural Health Care Facility Technical Assistance Program" and expands its scope to include a broader range of rural healthcare providers beyond just hospitals.
This ensures more types of essential rural healthcare providers can receive support, not just hospitals.
PROVISION 02
The program is made a permanent and required function of the Department of Agriculture, ensuring ongoing support rather than being subject to discretionary creation.
This provides long-term stability and commitment to supporting rural healthcare facilities.
PROVISION 03
It directs the Secretary of Agriculture to provide technical assistance and training tailored to individual facilities, focusing on operational improvement, financial management, and accessing federal loans and grants.
This offers practical, customized help to address the specific challenges faced by rural healthcare providers.
PROVISION 04
The bill authorizes up to $2,000,000 to be appropriated annually for fiscal years 2026 through 2030 to fund the program's activities.
This provides dedicated financial resources to operate and sustain the program over several years.
PROVISION 05
The Secretary of Agriculture must submit annual reports to Congress detailing the program's progress, outcomes of assistance provided, and recommendations for improvement.
This ensures accountability and allows for continuous evaluation and refinement of the program's effectiveness.
SPONSORSHIP
1 + 28
R· Texas
YRS IN OFFICE
5
BILLS LED
35
COSPONSOR BREAKDOWNBIPARTISAN · 100%
DEM 14 REP 14 IND 0
ACTION TIMELINE
3 EVENTSMAR 28
Referred to the Subcommittee on Commodity Markets, Digital Assets, and Rural Development.
FEB 18
Introduced in House
FEB 18
Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
BILL INFO
TypeHouse Bill
NumberHR 1417
Congress119th
StatusIn Committee
IntroducedFeb 18, 2025
Last actionMar 28, 2025
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IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS · AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED FEB 18, 2025
House BillHR 1417Agriculture and Food
Rural Health Care Facility Technical Assistance Program Act
INTRODUCED FEB 18, 2025· LAST ACTION MAR 28, 2025
PASSAGE CHANCES
—%
READING
5 min
COSPONSORS
28
COMPLEXITY
Moderate
