[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 87 (Thursday, May 21, 2026)]
[Senate]
[Page S2431]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       RURAL COMMUNITY HOSPITAL DEMONSTRATION REAUTHORIZATION ACT

  Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, as I travel through Iowa, the issue of 
rural healthcare comes up frequently. In living in rural Iowa, I 
understand the importance of my fellow Iowans' having access to 
healthcare close to home.
  In pursuit of that goal, I have led the charge to protect and expand 
access to rural healthcare. Some of the items that I have worked on 
over the years would be extending telehealth flexibilities; extending 
the rural hospital programs, like the Medicare-Dependent Hospital 
Program and the Low-Volume Hospital Program; also enacting pharmacy 
benefit manager reform and expanding access to rural pharmacies--I hope 
that the pharmacy benefit manager reform leads to lower drug costs for 
all Iowans--and then establishing the Rural Emergency Hospital Program 
and establishing the $50 billion Rural Health Transformation Fund that 
was in the tax bill of last year.
  Most recently, I have introduced the Rural Community Hospital 
Demonstration Reauthorization Act, which extends this demonstration 
program for another 5 years.
  Since 2005, the Rural Community Hospital Demonstration Program has 
supported what we call rural ``tweener'' hospitals and has given 
policymakers insight into improving rural healthcare.
  Now, how do you get that name ``tweener'' hospitals? They are 
hospitals like those that are too large to be classified as critical 
access hospitals and yet still face lower volumes.
  The program tests innovative hospital payment models under Medicare. 
Nationally, up to 30 hospitals can participate in this program. Iowa is 
fortunate enough to have four hospitals in this program, which are 
located in Fort Dodge, Grinnell, Newton, and Spirit Lake.
  Until last year, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services 
underutilized the program by leaving spots open. I am happy that the 
Trump administration acted at my urging to correct this.
  I recently visited one of these hospitals in Grinnell, IA. As a 
result of the Grinnell Regional Medical Center's participation in this 
demonstration program, the hospital has been able to improve access to 
mental health, maternal health, and recruit more providers.
  The data shows that the demonstration program has benefited rural 
healthcare generally. Hospitals in the program have significantly 
improved their margins and have had higher capital investments. The 
program has also helped with staff retention and adding services.
  While Congress has extended the Rural Community Hospital 
Demonstration Program before, we need to reauthorize it again to 
continue this important work. I am glad to partner with a bipartisan 
group of 16 Senate colleagues to introduce the bill that reauthorizes 
the program.
  I am happy to report that, last night, the Senate passed the Rural 
Community Hospital Demonstration Reauthorization Act. Now I look 
forward to working with my House colleagues to make this law.
  I yield the floor.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The senior assistant bill clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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