Underwood Introduces Bill to Boost Funding for Rural Hospitals

WASHINGTON DC – Representative Lauren Underwood introduced the Prioritizing Rural Hospitals Act, a bipartisan bill co-led by Kansas Representative Tracey Mann, to support rural health care by giving priority access to U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development funding for medical facilities. The legislation addresses growing disparities faced by nearly one in five Americans living in rural areas, including hospital closures, long travel times for care, and limited access to physicians. The bill would allow USDA funds to be used to renovate, remodel, and equip closed health facilities, helping rural communities maintain critical health services.