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Julie Fedorchak

03/17/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 03/17/2026 09:26

Fedorchak, Carter introduce bipartisan legislation to strengthen rural health offices nationwide

Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Julie Fedorchak (R-ND) and Congressman Troy Carter (D-LA) today introduced the State Offices of Rural Health Program Reauthorization Act of 2026, bipartisan legislation to strengthen rural health care.

"Rural communities face unique challenges in providing quality health care over large distances with limited resources. State Offices of Rural Health, like the Center for Rural Health at the University of North Dakota, are the glue for these rural systems. They connect providers with training and information, share best practices, provide information on unique resources, and fill in countless gaps," said Congresswoman Julie Fedorchak (ND-AL) "This program helps improve the quality and viability of the health care facilities families throughout rural North Dakota depend on."

"I'm committed to ensuring that families in rural communities can access the health care they deserve. State Offices of Rural Health play a vital role in connecting rural hospitals, clinics, and providers with the resources they need to serve their communities. By reauthorizing and strengthening this program, we're making a bipartisan investment in the health, stability, and future of rural America. No matter where you live, whether in a small town or a big city, you should be able to count on quality, affordable health care close to home," said Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. (LA-02).

Rural health care providers-including Critical Access Hospitals and Community Health Centers-deliver life-saving care to more than 60 million Americans living in rural communities. Many of these providers operate independently and face significant challenges maintaining sustainable operations while competing with larger urban health systems.

State Offices of Rural Health help small rural providers meet those challenges by providing best practices, offering technical assistance, and creating forums so providers can continue strengthening rural health.

The program's authorization currently provides funding through FY26, after which the statutory authorization expires. The State Offices of Rural Health Program Reauthorization Act of 2026amends the Public Health Service Actto:

  • Reauthorize the State Offices of Rural Health program, continuing federal support for state offices that coordinate rural health initiatives and assist providers.

  • Authorize $13.5 million annually from FY27 through FY32 to support state rural health offices nationwide, in line with FY26 appropriated levels.

"The National Rural Health Association (NRHA) is elated to see Congressman Fedorchak and Congressman Carter introduce the State Offices of Rural Health Program Reauthorization Act. The 50 State Offices of Rural Health (SORHs) across the country play a vital role as the backbone of rural health coordination within their respective states. SORHs work with rural health care providers and stakeholders to administer rural health programs, connect partners to resources, build capacity, and otherwise provide critical direct technical assistance. NRHA is proud to support legislation that will continue to support SORHs and the important work that they do on behalf of their rural communities." - Alan Morgan, CEO, National Rural Health Association (NRHA)

"As North Dakota's State Office of Rural Health, the Center for Rural Health stands in full support of Representative Fedorchak's introduction of the State Offices of Rural Health Program Reauthorization Act of 2026. As one of the nation's oldest State Offices of Rural Health, the Center for Rural Health has seen the undeniable impact that the SORH program has across our state and the nation. As a unit of the University of North Dakota's School of Medicine and Health Sciences, SORH funding has also allowed us to bridge the full spectrum of rural health from workforce development through quality improvement, helping to support comprehensive approaches to improve rural health. SORHs form the backbone of both strategic planning and on-the-ground support for rural health, and Representative Fedorchak's State Offices of Rural Health Program Reauthorization Act of 2026 will sustain the impact of decades of investment in the SORH initiative, helping ensure that the health of rural America continues to be an explicit priority of all states." - Jacob Warren, Director, Center for Rural Health, University of North Dakota

"The North Dakota Hospital Association supports reauthorizing this federal program for the next five years. The University of North Dakota Center for Rural Health plays a critical role in strengthening healthcare across rural and underserved communities. The Center's work has been instrumental when addressing rural health challenges in North Dakota." - Tim Blasl, President of the North Dakota Hospital Association

"As the primary care association for North and South Dakota, CHAD is pleased to join Representative Fedorchak in strong support of continued funding for the state offices of rural health. The partnership in North Dakota between the Department of Health and Human Services and the Center for Rural Health at the University of North Dakota has been particularly effective. Together they work to address the top challenge faced by rural providers -- building a strong workforce. They work across the pipeline to support high impact programs that make it possible for providers to sustain access to care in rural places. They also support community needs assessments and building networks to make rural providers more effective and efficient. The Center for Rural Health is a treasured resource in North Dakota because it is a trusted source of well-researched recommendations to policymakers and others across the state and the country." - Community Healthcare Association of the Dakotas

CLICK HEREfor the full text of the legislation.

CLICK HEREfor a one-pager on the bill.

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Julie Fedorchak published this content on March 17, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on March 17, 2026 at 15:26 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]