Second Chances for Rural Hospitals Act
Congress Proposes Plan to Reopen Closed Rural Hospitals as Emergency Care Centers
Stalled
No legislative action in over 90 days.
Legislative Progress
Key Points
- This bill allows rural hospitals that closed between 2014 and 2020 to reopen as 'Rural Emergency Hospitals.' These facilities focus on providing emergency room services and outpatient care rather than long-term hospital stays.
- The plan targets rural communities that lost their local healthcare centers over the last decade. It gives these towns a way to bring back life-saving medical services using buildings that are currently sitting empty.
- Many rural hospitals shut down because they were too expensive to run. This policy creates a more affordable path for them to operate by letting them focus on the most urgent medical needs of their neighbors.
- If the bill becomes law, the new rules would take effect on January 1, 2027. This gives closed facilities time to apply for the program and prepare to serve patients again.
- There are some financial limits to prevent hospitals from opening too close to each other. Facilities that reopen within 10 to 35 miles of an existing hospital will not receive the same extra government funding as those in more isolated areas.
Impact Analysis
Personal Impact
How this policy affects specific groups of people
Milestones
Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Sent to a congressional committee for expert review. The committee decides whether this bill moves forward.
Introduced in House
The bill was officially filed and given a number. It now enters the legislative queue.
Votes
No votes have been recorded for this legislation yet.
Related News
3 articles
U.S. Rep. Arrington talks future of rural healthcare, agriculture, America's energy sector
Rep. Jodey Arrington (R-TX) discussed his 'Second Chances for Rural Hospitals Act,' which aims to expand eligibility for the Rural Emergency Hospital designation. The bill would allow facilities closed since 2014 to reopen, targeting roughly 20 hospitals nationwide for a 'second chance.'
Martin County seeks operator to bring rural hospital back to life
Officials in Martin County are searching for an operator to manage the first hospital in the nation attempting to reopen under the Rural Emergency Hospital (REH) designation. The move follows federal efforts to relax eligibility rules for recently closed rural medical centers.
Arrington Introduces Second Chances for Rural Hospitals Act
Rep. Jodey Arrington (R-TX) officially introduced the Second Chances for Rural Hospitals Act to modify criteria for Rural Emergency Hospitals. The legislation specifically addresses the 2014-2020 closure window to allow older shuttered facilities to qualify for federal reopening grants.
Source Information
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
Second Chances for Rural Hospitals Act
Data Sources
Sponsor
Cosponsors
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