Bill · S. 4141· Senate(119-S-4141)
Rural Hospital Revitalization Act of 2026
- Introduced
- 3/19/2026
- Last activity
- 3/19/2026 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
- Sponsored by
- Michael Bennet
- Cosponsors
- - 0 - 2
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill is known as the Rural Hospital Revitalization Act of 2026. It directs the Secretary of Agriculture to provide temporary zero-percent interest loans through the community facilities direct loan program. These loans are specifically for constructing, improving, or renovating eligible rural hospitals. To qualify, hospitals must meet specific location, distance, and financial criteria set forth in the legislation. The initial term for these zero-percent interest loans is five years, with options for assessments and potential renewals or refinancing under standard program rates. Additionally, the bill makes participating hospitals eligible for specific technical assistance grants to support operational improvements and financial stability.
Yes· 3 of 19
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?+9
Directly targets rural communities by preventing hospital closures and funding crucial facility upgrades.
Does this make health care easier to get in general?+8
Provides temporary zero-percent interest loans and technical grants to help rural hospitals upgrade facilities and maintain healthcare access.
Would people over 65 be better off under this?+7
Particularly helps older populations who rely heavily on local critical access hospitals and Medicare services in rural areas.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Section 306B(a) provides temporary zero-percent interest loans for constructing replacement facilities or improving existing hospital facilities. This is positive because it gives rural hospitals financial breathing room to upgrade their buildings without getting crushed by high interest rates, helping to keep doors open for patients.
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Section 306B(e) allows hospitals that receive these loans to also qualify for technical assistance grants to support operational improvements and financial stability. This is a positive outcome because it helps hospital management run things more efficiently, ensuring long-term care for the community.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Section 306B(b)(1)(E) requires eligible hospitals to be financially stable, having not less than 30 days of cash on hand and a projected debt-service coverage ratio of at least 1.2. This could be a negative hurdle because the very hospitals in the most desperate financial trouble might not qualify for this help, leaving the most vulnerable communities without support.
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+9Good For Retirees+7Good For Seniors+7Good For Farmers+6Good For Low Income Households+5Good For People With Disabilities+5Good For Middle Aged+4Good For Veterans+4Good For Women+4Good For Children+3Good For Men+3Good For Middle Class Households+3Good For Native Americans+3Good For Young Adults+3Good For Business Owners+2Good For Immigrants+2
- Healthcare
- Improves Healthcare Access+8
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Rural Development+7
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Economic Growth+2
- 6/4/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 3/19/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
- 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.
Jerry MoranRepublican · Kansas
James RischRepublican · Idaho