118 HR 9093 IH: Prioritizing Rural Hospitals Act U.S. House of Representatives 2024-07-23 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I118th CONGRESS2d SessionH. R. 9093IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESJuly 23, 2024Ms. Underwood introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on AgricultureA BILLTo prioritize healthcare facilities and mental or behavioral health facilities in the Community Facilities program for fiscal years 2025 through 2031, and allow loans and grants under the program to be used for medical supplies, increasing telehealth capabilities, supporting staffing needs, or renovating and remodeling closed facilities.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Prioritizing Rural Hospitals Act.

2.

Prioritization under the Community Facilities Loan and Grant Program

(a)

In general

In selecting recipients of direct loans or grants for the development of essential community facilities under section 306(a) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1926(a)) for fiscal years 2025 through 2031, the Secretary of Agriculture shall give priority to entities eligible for those direct loans or grants to develop facilities to provide healthcare or mental or behavioral healthcare.(b)

Use of funds

An eligible entity described in subsection (a) that receives a direct loan or grant described in subsection (a) may use the direct loan or grant funds for medical supplies, increasing telehealth capabilities, supporting staffing needs, or renovating and remodeling closed facilities.(c)

Reservation of funds

Of the amounts made available for guaranteed loans under section 310B(g) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act for each of fiscal years 2025 through 2031, 10 percent shall be reserved to carry out this section.