Bills · S 474
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
Senate BillS 474Rural conditions and developmentHealth care coverage and access
Fair Funding for Rural Hospitals Act
INTRO FEB 6· LAST ACTION FEB 6
READING
1MIN
COSPONSORS
3BIPARTISAN
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
- Introduced only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed Senate
Passed House
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-writtenThis bill matters because it addresses a critical financial struggle for many hospitals, especially those in rural areas. Hospitals that serve a large number of low-income or uninsured patients often operate on thin margins, and without adequate funding, they risk reducing services or even closing down. Such closures can leave entire communities, particularly rural ones, without local healthcare access, forcing residents to travel long distances for emergency care or essential services.
If this bill becomes law, it would provide a guaranteed baseline of federal support, helping these vulnerable hospitals stay afloat and continue to serve their communities. If it doesn't pass, many financially strained hospitals may continue to face significant instability, potentially leading to more service cuts or closures, further impacting access to care for millions of Americans.
KEY PROVISIONS
3AI-extractedPROVISION 01
Establishes a minimum Medicaid Disproportionate Share Hospital (DSH) allotment for all states.
This ensures that no state receives less than a certain amount of federal funding to support hospitals that serve a high number of low-income patients.
PROVISION 02
Sets the minimum DSH allotment at $20,000,000 for each fiscal year from 2025 through 2029.
This provides a specific, fixed financial floor for states for the next five years, offering predictable funding to vulnerable hospitals.
PROVISION 03
Requires the minimum DSH allotment to be adjusted for inflation starting in fiscal year 2030.
This ensures that the purchasing power of the minimum funding amount does not erode over time, providing ongoing financial stability.
SPONSORSHIP
1 + 3
R· Wyoming
YRS IN OFFICE
19
BILLS LED
58
COSPONSOR BREAKDOWNBIPARTISAN · 66%
DEM 2 REP 1 IND 0
ACTION TIMELINE
2 EVENTSFEB 6
Introduced in Senate
FEB 6
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (text: CR S796)
BILL INFO
TypeSenate Bill
NumberS 474
Congress119th
StatusIn Committee
IntroducedFeb 6, 2025
Last actionFeb 6, 2025
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IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS · FINANCE COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED FEB 6, 2025
Senate BillS 474Rural conditions and developmentHealth care coverage and access
Fair Funding for Rural Hospitals Act
INTRODUCED FEB 6, 2025· LAST ACTION FEB 6, 2025
PASSAGE CHANCES
—%
READING
1 min
COSPONSORS
3
COMPLEXITY
Moderate
