WASHINGTON, D.C. – Reps. Earl L. “Buddy” Carter (R-GA), Shomari C. Figures (D-AL), Michael Rulli (R-OH), and Kim Schrier, M.D. (D-WA) today introduced the Improving Care in Rural America Reauthorization Act of 2025, a bill extending critical programs that increase access to health care services in rural communities.
Rural residents often encounter barriers to accessing health care, including workforce shortages, distance and transportation issues, facility closures, and health insurance coverage. These roadblocks result in unmet health care needs, leading to a 43 percent higher mortality rate for rural Americans compared to those living in cities and suburbs. By reauthorizing Rural Health Services Outreach programs, this bill will lead to increased access to health care services and preventive screenings, improved chronic disease management and health outcomes, expanded telehealth services, and reduced emergency department visits for the nearly 500,000 individuals who receive direct services for these programs annually.
“Health care outcomes should not be dependent on a patient’s zip code. We must ensure that vitally important health services are able to reach people in all communities, which is exactly what the Rural Health Care Services Outreach Programs do. Reauthorizing these programs will continue President Trump’s legacy of supporting rural communities' chronic health care needs through flexible, community-driven solutions,” said Rep. Carter.
"Improving rural health care is one of my top priorities, and I am proud to support this bipartisan legislation," said Rep. Figures. "This bill reauthorizes critical programs that will strengthen access to quality health care in my district and other communities across the country."
“Week after week, we hear ridiculous stories of taxpayer money being sent to shadowy organizations overseas. Meanwhile, rural communities here at home are left behind, struggling to access the care they deserve. That’s why I’m proud to stand with Congressman Carter today in sponsoring the Improving Care in Rural America Reauthorization Act of 2025. This reauthorization ensures that grants supporting healthcare in our underserved communities will continue—and taxpayer dollars will go where they’re needed most: to the American people,” said Rep. Rulli.
“The Eighth District is nearly 10,000 square miles, with many of my constituents living in rural communities that depend on a scarce number of medical providers in their area. In Congress, I’m focused on supporting rural health care to ensure that Americans can get care close to home,” said Rep. Schrier. “As a doctor, I understand the importance of rural clinics and hospitals. Without them, patients, including those in my district, would have to drive even farther to seek medical care. That’s dangerous in an emergency. That’s why I’m proud to introduce this bipartisan legislation to extend key federal grants that strengthen rural health care.”
In FY 2022, over 85 percent of grant recipients through these programs demonstrated improvement in one or more clinical measures, such as controlled A1cs and blood pressure.
“Rural residents often encounter barriers to accessing healthcare including workforce shortages, distance and transportation issues, healthcare facility closures. The Rural Health Care Services Outreach programs seek to break down these barriers by supporting community-driven initiatives to promote care coordination, chronic disease prevention, and sustainable health solutions in underserved rural areas. NRHA applauds Representatives Carter, Figures, Rulli, and Schrier for their efforts to reauthorize these critical programs and for their continual support of the health of rural communities.” – Alan Morgan, Chief Executive Officer, National Rural Health Association
Background
In 2020, President Trump signed into law legislation reauthorizing rural health outreach services programs under the 2020 CARES Act through FY 2025. The Improving Care in Rural America Reauthorization Act of 2025 will extend these critical programs through 2030. Further, bill changes will ensure that local rural needs are prioritized in grant awards.
Read full bill text here.
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