Pappas, Kustoff Introduce Rural Health Innovation Act

Congressmen Chris Pappas (NH-01) and David Kustoff (TN-08) recently introduced H.R.1480, the Rural Health Innovation Act in the House of Representatives. This bipartisan bill will strengthen access to care in rural areas by establishing a competitive grant program allowing Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) or Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) to increase staffing resources, increase hours of operation, acquire additional technology and equipment, and pay for construction costs related to emergency and urgent care. The Rural Health Innovation Act would also establish a competitive grant program for rural health departments to improve rural emergency services, including primary care, triage, and air and ground ambulance services.

“Families in rural areas continue to face challenges in accessing quality, affordable health care. We must do more to ensure no family is left without the care they need,” said Congressman Pappas. “This bipartisan legislation would provide rural health centers with the resources they need to provide quality and urgent care to the communities they serve. This is a commonsense step toward closing the health care gap, and I will continue working to support the work of our rural health care centers and expanding access to health care for all.”

"Communities in rural West Tennessee, and across the nation, are in need of more adequate health care options to better serve families," said Congressman Kustoff. "By equipping providers with the tools they need to hire staff, upgrade equipment, and expand their services, we can significantly help improve access to good-quality health care in rural America. That is why I introduced the Rural Health Innovation Act, bipartisan legislation designed to help health care providers innovate and care for more patients in our communities. I urge my colleagues to support this critical investment in rural America."

Click here to read the full text of the bill.