Introduced in House

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office] [H.R. 2493 Introduced in House (IH)] 119th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 2493 To reauthorize certain programs regarding rural health care. _______________________________________________________________________ IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES March 31, 2025 Mr. Carter of Georgia (for himself, Mr. Figures, Mr. Rulli, and Ms. Schrier) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce _______________________________________________________________________ A BILL To reauthorize certain programs regarding rural health care. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Improving Care in Rural America Reauthorization Act of 2025''.

SEC. 2. RURAL HEALTH CARE SERVICES OUTREACH, RURAL HEALTH NETWORK

SEC. 2. RURAL HEALTH CARE SERVICES OUTREACH, RURAL HEALTH NETWORK DEVELOPMENT, AND SMALL HEALTH CARE PROVIDER QUALITY IMPROVEMENT GRANT PROGRAMS. (a) Rural Health Care Services Outreach Grants.--Section 330A(e) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 254c(e)) is amended by adding at the end the following: ``(4) Use of funds for rural underserved populations.--In awarding a grant under this subsection, the Director shall ensure that the funds made available through the grant will be used, as appropriate-- ``(A) to meet the health care needs of rural underserved populations in the local community or region to be served; and ``(B) for other activities to ensure the rural underserved populations in the local community or region to be served will be involved in the development and ongoing operations of the project.''. (b) Rural Health Network Development Grants.--Section 330A(f) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 254c(f)) is amended by adding at the end the following: ``(4) Use of funds for rural underserved populations.--In awarding a grant under this subsection, the Director shall ensure that the funds made available through the grant will be used, as appropriate-- ``(A) to increase access to quality health care services through integrated health care networks for the rural underserved populations in the local community or region to be served; and ``(B) for other activities to ensure the rural underserved populations in the local community or region to be served will benefit from and be involved in the planning, development, and ongoing implementation of the network.''. (c) Reauthorization.--Section 330A(j) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 254c(j)) is amended by striking ``2021 through 2025'' and inserting ``2026 through 2030''.