Rep. Tokuda, Colleagues Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Revitalize Rural Hospitals

Washington, D.C. - Today, Representative Jill N. Tokuda (HI-02), along with her colleagues Reps. Jack Bergman (MI-01), Shomari Figures (AL-02), Carol Miller (WV-01), Maxine Dexter (OR-03), Tracey Mann (KS-01), Sharice Davids (KS-03), Jeff Hurd (CO-03) and Lauren Boebert (CO-04), introduced bipartisan legislation to strengthen rural hospital infrastructure and enhance patient care.

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.

"Rural hospitals are a lifeline for communities in Hawaiʻi and across the country that already struggle to access healthcare. But too many are being pushed to the brink by rising costs, workforce shortages, and reimbursement cuts, leaving outdated facilities in desperate need of repair and modernization," said Rep. Tokuda. "The Rural Hospital Revitalization Act will help hospitals finance critical construction, repair aging infrastructure, and modernize facilities so they can keep their doors open and continue providing lifesaving care close to home. When rural hospitals close, families pay the price. We cannot leave these communities behind."

"Many hospitals in West Virginia serve rural communities, adding unique hurdles for patients when accessing care and stretching thin already limited resources. This legislation ensures rural hospitals can modernize their facilities, meet today's healthcare standards, and continue delivering dependable care to those who rely on them. It represents a clear commitment to our rural communities by providing the federal support necessary to strengthen hospital infrastructure and safeguard access to care for some of our most vulnerable populations," said Rep. Miller.

"Rural hospitals are already hanging on by a thread, and extreme Medicaid cuts are now forcing closures and leaving families with hour-long drives just to see a doctor. 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," said Rep. Davids.

"Rural hospitals provide critical care and jobs for communities across the country," said Rep. Figures. "Unfortunately, many of these facilities are struggling to keep their doors open due to financial challenges. This bill offers a targeted solution to help improve the financial standing and long-term viability of rural hospitals nationwide."

"Every single person should be able to see a doctor of their choice in the community of their choosing. That means the federal government must incentivize the outcomes we want to see: a strong network of rural hospitals in every corner of this country," said Rep. Dexter. "I am proud to support this legislation, which will help rural hospitals improve their infrastructure and capacity so they can keep essential medical services close to home."

"Across rural Colorado, local hospitals are more than healthcare providers. They are lifelines for entire communities. Colorado's Third District families rely on these hospitals for emergency care, long term treatment, and good paying local jobs. No family should have to drive hours to access basic healthcare. The Rural Hospital Revitalization Act helps communities keep their hospitals open, modernize critical facilities, and continue delivering quality care close to home," said Rep. Hurd.

"Colorado's 4th Congressional District depends on strong rural communities and access to quality healthcare. This bipartisan legislation would help stabilize our rural hospitals, protect care for families across Eastern Colorado, and support the doctors, nurses, and emergency services our communities rely on every day. Keeping healthcare local to Colorado is critical for our farmers, ranchers, seniors, and small towns in our district," said Rep. Boebert.

"Every American deserves access to affordable, quality healthcare, no matter their zip code," said Rep. Mann. "Rural hospitals are lifelines for communities throughout the Big First and rural America, and they need the tools to keep serving patients close to home. The Rural Hospital Revitalization Act helps rural hospitals build new facilities or renovate existing ones so rural Americans don't have to drive hours to see a health care professional. This commonsense bill strengthens rural America and gives rural hospitals the ability to treat patients with care."

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.

Senators Jerry Moran (R-KS) and Michael Bennet (D-CO) introduced the Senate version of this legislation in March 2026.

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

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