RURAL COMMUNITY HOSPITAL DEMONSTRATION REAUTHORIZATION ACT

On 2026-05-21, Senator John Thune (R-SD) delivered a floor speech titled "RURAL COMMUNITY HOSPITAL DEMONSTRATION REAUTHORIZATION ACT" in the Senate.

RURAL COMMUNITY HOSPITAL DEMONSTRATION REAUTHORIZATION ACT

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 87 (Thursday, May 21, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 87 (Thursday, May 21, 2026)] [Senate] [Page S2431] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] RURAL COMMUNITY HOSPITAL DEMONSTRATION REAUTHORIZATION ACT Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, as I travel through Iowa, the issue of rural healthcare comes up frequently. In living in rural Iowa, I understand the importance of my fellow Iowans' having access to healthcare close to home. In pursuit of that goal, I have led the charge to protect and expand access to rural healthcare. Some of the items that I have worked on over the years would be extending telehealth flexibilities; extending the rural hospital programs, like the Medicare-Dependent Hospital Program and the Low-Volume Hospital Program; also enacting pharmacy benefit manager reform and expanding access to rural pharmacies--I hope that the pharmacy benefit manager reform leads to lower drug costs for all Iowans--and then establishing the Rural Emergency Hospital Program and establishing the $50 billion Rural Health Transformation Fund that was in the tax bill of last year. Most recently, I have introduced the Rural Community Hospital Demonstration Reauthorization Act, which extends this demonstration program for another 5 years. Since 2005, the Rural Community Hospital Demonstration Program has supported what we call rural ``tweener'' hospitals and has given policymakers insight into improving rural healthcare. Now, how do you get that name ``tweener'' hospitals? They are hospitals like those that are too large to be classified as critical access hospitals and yet still face lower volumes. The program tests innovative hospital payment models under Medicare. Nationally, up to 30 hospitals can participate in this program. Iowa is fortunate enough to have four hospitals in this program, which are located in Fort Dodge, Grinnell, Newton, and Spirit Lake. Until last year, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services underutilized the program by leaving spots open. I am happy that the Trump administration acted at my urging to correct this. I recently visited one of these hospitals in Grinnell, IA. As a result of the Grinnell Regional Medical Center's participation in this demonstration program, the hospital has been able to improve access to mental health, maternal health, and recruit more providers. The data shows that the demonstration program has benefited rural healthcare generally. Hospitals in the program have significantly improved their margins and have had higher capital investments. The program has also helped with staff retention and adding services. While Congress has extended the Rural Community Hospital Demonstration Program before, we need to reauthorize it again to continue this important work. I am glad to partner with a bipartisan group of 16 Senate colleagues to introduce the bill that reauthorizes the program. I am happy to report that, last night, the Senate passed the Rural Community Hospital Demonstration Reauthorization Act. Now I look forward to working with my House colleagues to make this law. I yield the floor. I suggest the absence of a quorum. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll. The senior assistant bill clerk proceeded to call the roll. Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. ____________________