Press Releases

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Earl L. “Buddy” Carter (R-GA) this week celebrated House passage of the Improving Care in Rural America Reauthorization Act of 2025, a bill that extends 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 for rural Americans, leading to a 43 percent higher mortality rate compared to those living in cities and suburbs.

By reauthorizing Rural Health Services Outreach programs, this bill will increase access to health care services and preventive screenings, improve chronic disease management and health outcomes, expand telehealth services, and reduce emergency department visits for the nearly 500,000 individuals who receive direct services from these programs annually.

“Health care outcomes should not depend on a patient’s zip code. However, this is the reality for millions of Americans living in rural communities, said Rep. Carter. “Rural Health Care Services Outreach Programs address this issue, expanding vitally important health services to reach people in all communities. I thank my colleagues for their support in reauthorizing these critical programs to address the chronic health care needs of rural communities through flexible, community-driven solutions.”

Read bill text here.

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