Bill · S. 403· Senate(119-S-403)
Rural Health Focus Act
- Introduced
- 2/5/2025
- Last activity
- 2/5/2025 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- Sponsored by
- Cindy Hyde-Smith
- Cosponsors
- - 1 - 2
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Rural Health Focus Act directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to create an Office of Rural Health. This office will be established within the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The office will be led by a director chosen by the Director of the CDC. The primary mission is to focus on health issues affecting rural populations. This includes conducting research, developing policies, and coordinating educational outreach.
Yes· 3 of 9
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?+8
The bill specifically establishes an office dedicated to improving health care access and services for rural populations.
Does this make health care easier to get in general?+7
The bill mandates the development of policies and programs, including telehealth, to improve care and services for rural populations.
Does this put more money into medical research?+5
The bill authorizes the office to award and administer grants, cooperative agreements, and contracts to support rural health activities.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Improved Health Care Access: The office is tasked with developing policies and programs, including through telehealth, to improve care and services for rural populations (Section 2, subsection b, paragraph 3).
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Targeted Research and Education: The office will assist in conducting, coordinating, and promoting research regarding public health issues affecting rural populations, while also disseminating evidence-based interventions (Section 2, subsection b, paragraphs 2 and 4).
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Addressing Health Inequities: The office will work to identify disparities in the availability of health care and public health interventions for rural populations (Section 2, subsection b, paragraph 6).
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Direct Support Through Funding: The office has the authority to award and administer grants, cooperative agreements, and contracts to support activities aimed at improving health and health care in rural areas (Section 2, subsection b, paragraph 7).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No specific negative impacts or burdens are explicitly mentioned in the provided text.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Rural Residents+8Good For Native Americans+4Good For Low Income Households+3
- Healthcare
- Improves Healthcare Access+7Increases Research Funding+5
- Education And Technology
- Increases Scientific Research Funding+5
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Racial Equity+3Improves Poverty Reduction+2
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Rural Development+4
- 7/15/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 3/13/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 2/5/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Shelley CapitoRepublican · West Virginia
Jeff MerkleyDemocrat · Oregon
Jon OssoffDemocrat · Georgia