Blackburn, Kustoff Introduce Rural Health Agenda to Ease Financial Strain for Rural Hospitals, Expand Access to Urgent Care, and Strengthen Recruiting

Office of Senator Marsha Blackburn

Mar 26, 2026

Highlights the Rural Health Agenda, a bipartisan and bicameral group of proposed legislation aiming to support rural hospitals through increased Medicare reimbursement, introduce new funding to promote innovation in rural emergency healthcare, and incentivize rural communities for healthcare workers through extended loan repayment programs.

Emergency department and urgent care services · Funding · Health workforce supply and demand · Hospitals · Legislation and regulations · Loans, loan repayment, and loan forgiveness for health careers · Medicare · Reimbursement and payment models