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HR 7514

Rural Health Care Facilities Revitalization Act

119th Congress Introduced by John Moolenaar and 3 co-sponsors

Authorizes rural health facilities to use USDA credit programs to refinance debt and fund telehealth upgrades, equipment, and operating needs to preserve services.

Referred to the Subcommittee on Commodity Markets, Digital Assets, and Rural Development.
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Bill Summary · HR 7514

Summary of HR 7514 (113th? 119th Congress) – Rural Health Care Facilities Revitalization Act

Note: This summary covers the bill text as introduced in the 119th Congress. It aims to clarify the bill’s purpose, key provisions, affected entities, and timeline.

Purpose and intent

  • The bill seeks to authorize distressed rural health care facilities to use certain Federal agricultural credit assistance to strengthen financial stability and sustain essential health services in rural communities.
  • Specifically, it would enable eligible rural health facilities to access USDA credit programs to refinance debt, modernize services and equipment, and support related operating and ancillary needs.

Key provisions and changes

  1. New program authority (Section 310J added to the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act)

    • Creates a new eligibility pathway for rural health facilities to use assistance under:
      • Section 306(a) (community facilities) or
      • Section 310B (financing for rural development) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act.
    • Eligible facilities include:
      • Hospitals
      • Behavioral health facilities
      • Health care clinics (including mobile clinics)
      • Home health agencies
      • Long-term care facilities
      • In general, any rural health facility meeting criteria

  2. Permitted uses of assistance

    • Refinance a debt obligation
    • Update telehealth capabilities, equipment, or online databases
    • Support ancillary needs (including operating expenses and reserve funds)

  3. Limitations and conditions

    • Assistance may be used only if doing so would:
      • Preserve access to health services in the rural community
      • Improve the facility’s financial position in a meaningful way
      • Meet the Rural Development Agency’s (RDA) financial feasibility and security requirements
    • Waiver authority:
      • The Secretary may waive certain requirements (specifically section 302(a)(1)(D)) for facilities that are insolvent or located in persistent poverty areas, socially vulnerable communities (as determined by the Secretary), or distressed areas.

  4. Definitions (for purposes of the new section)

    • Persistent poverty area: Area with a poverty rate of 20% or more for four consecutive 10-year periods spanning roughly 30 years.
    • Rural area: Population of 50,000 or fewer, not an urbanized area adjacent to or contiguous with a city over 50,000.

  5. Effective date

    • The amendment takes effect six months after the enactment of the Act.

Who would be affected

  • Rural health care facilities that meet the eligibility criteria and operate in rural areas (as defined by the bill).
  • Entities seeking to refinance debt, upgrade telehealth/equipment, or support ongoing operating needs while preserving access to rural health services.
  • Rural Development Agency processes and criteria, as the bill ties to Section 306(a) and 310B financing/program requirements.
  • Communities in persistent poverty or socially vulnerable rural areas that qualify for potential waivers.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Introduced February 11, 2026, by Representatives Salinas, Moolenaar, Tokuda, and Moylan.
  • Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture, with subsequent referral to the Subcommittee on Commodity Markets, Digital Assets, and Rural Development (as of 2026-03-20 action history).
  • Effective date for the new authority is six months after enactment, giving agencies time to implement waivers and adjust underwriting criteria.

Potential impacts and considerations

  • Access to capital: May broaden access to federal credit assistance for rural health facilities seeking debt refinancing or capital improvements.
  • Financial resilience: Aims to improve the financial viability of rural health facilities, potentially reducing service disruptions and preserving rural health access.
  • Telehealth and modernization: Encourages updating telehealth infrastructure and equipment, aligning with evolving rural health needs.
  • Targeted relief: Waivers for solvency or poverty-related designations could help facilities in persistently impoverished or vulnerable areas qualify for assistance.
  • Oversight: Still subject to Rural Development Agency feasibility and security requirements, ensuring prudent use of federal credit programs.

If you’d like, I can provide a side-by-side comparison with current law (Sections 306(a) and 310B) to illustrate exactly how the new Section 310J would modify existing authorities.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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