Bill · S. 5164· Senate(119-S-5164)
Rural Emergency Hospital Designation Improvement Act
- Introduced
- 7/29/2026
- Last activity
- 7/29/2026 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
- Sponsored by
- Jerry Moran
- Cosponsors
- - 5 - 2
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Rural Emergency Hospital Designation Improvement Act updates how rural emergency hospitals are designated and funded. It changes eligibility dates for conversion and allows the Secretary to waive certain requirements for facilities that operate similarly to rural emergency hospitals. The bill expands the types of units these hospitals can maintain, such as psychiatric, rehabilitation, and obstetric units. It also increases payments for certain diagnostic laboratory tests and allows for "swing beds" to provide extended care services. Additionally, it ensures these hospitals can access National Health Service Corps eligibility, specific grants, and Medicaid coverage.
Yes· 3 of 27
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?+10
Directly targets and improves the viability and service offerings of rural emergency hospitals.
Does this make health care easier to get in general?+9
Significantly expands the availability of emergency, obstetric, and rehabilitation services in rural areas.
Would women be better off under this?+8
Specifically expands access to obstetric wings and labor and delivery units in rural areas.
The opposite· 3 of 4
Does this reduce what the federal government owes?-2
Increased payments for lab tests and grant eligibility may increase federal spending.
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?-2
The bill increases funding for lab tests and opens grant eligibility for more hospitals.
Does this lower what a hospital stay costs?-1
The 5 percent increase in lab test payments may be passed to patients via copayments.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Expanded Specialized Care: Hospitals can now include distinct units for inpatient psychiatric care, rehabilitation, and obstetric services like labor and delivery, which may increase access to these specific services in rural areas (Section 3).
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Increased Healthcare Access: By allowing the Secretary to waive certain requirements for facilities that operate like rural emergency hospitals, more facilities may become eligible for this designation (Section 2(b)).
-
Support for Extended Care: The bill allows rural emergency hospitals to provide extended care services similar to skilled nursing facilities (Section 5).
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Healthcare Workforce Support: Rural emergency hospitals will be deemed health professional shortage areas, making them eligible for the National Health Service Corps (Section 7).
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Financial Support for Hospitals: Hospitals can now receive Small Rural Hospital Improvement Program grants (Section 8) and a 5 percent increase in payment for certain diagnostic laboratory tests to reflect higher costs (Section 4).
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Expanded Insurance Coverage: Rural emergency hospital services and nursing facility services in distinct part units of these hospitals are now included under Medicaid (Section 9(a)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Increased Costs: The 5 percent increase in payment for diagnostic laboratory tests includes the application of any copayment amount, which could affect the cost for the individual (Section 4(2)(B)).
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+10Good For Women+8Good For Farmers+7Good For Low Income Households+7Good For Retirees+7Good For Seniors+7Good For Business Owners+6Good For Native Americans+6Good For People With Disabilities+6Good For Children+5Good For Middle Class Households+5Good For Men+4Good For Middle Aged+4Good For Young Adults+4Good For High Income Households+3
- Healthcare
- Improves Healthcare Access+9Improves Mental Health Access+7Increases Medicaid Funding+6Improves Opioid Crisis Response+4Increases Medicare Funding+4Improves Pandemic Preparedness+2Reduces Hospital Costs-1
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Rural Development+7
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Small Business Support+5Increases Job Creation+3Improves Economic Growth+2Reduces Government Spending-2Reduces National Debt-2Improves Fiscal Responsibility-1
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Poverty Reduction+2
- Governance And Ideology
- Increases Federal Power+1
- 9/14/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/29/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
- 6 Cosponsors 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.
Katie BrittRepublican · Alabama
Shelley CapitoRepublican · West Virginia
Martin HeinrichDemocrat · New Mexico
Cindy Hyde-SmithRepublican · Mississippi
Roger MarshallRepublican · Kansas
Tina SmithDemocrat · Minnesota
Tommy TubervilleRepublican · Alabama