Senate committee reauthorizes three rural health grant programs to boost access in small counties

The Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions moved to reauthorize three Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) programs that support rural health: the Rural Health Care Services Outreach Grant Program, the Rural Health Network Development Grant Program, and the Small Rural Provider Quality Improvement Grant Program.

Senator Tim Scott, a sponsor of S.2301, said the programs "help address the healthcare needs of rural communities" and emphasized that "rural health care isn't a red or blue state issue." Senator Smith (co-sponsor) and others described local examples, including behavioral health providers and small counties that have seen service improvements. The committee adopted the manager's substitute and reported the bill favorably.

Supporters said the programs fund telehealth and preventive services and encourage local community involvement in program administration. Committee sponsors urged continued reauthorization to sustain services in counties that lack hospital resources and to support grant-funded telehealth and chronic care management projects.