Rural Health Care Facilities Revitalization Act

Summary

Allows rural health care facilities to use existing USDA Rural Development community facility loans or section 310B assistance to refinance debt, upgrade telehealth and medical equipment, modernize databases, and cover certain operating or reserve costs. The money can be used only if it helps preserve access to health care in a rural area, meaningfully improves the facility’s finances, and meets USDA feasibility and security rules; the Secretary may waive certain eligibility limits for insolvent or highly distressed communities. The amendment takes effect six months after enactment.

• Authorizes rural health care facilities to use USDA Rural Development community facility loans or section 310B assistance for refinancing, telehealth, equipment, databases, and certain operating/reserve costs.
• Use of funds must preserve rural access to health services and meaningfully improve the facility’s financial position while meeting Rural Development feasibility and security rules.
• Secretary may waive an existing statutory eligibility requirement for insolvent facilities or those in persistent poverty, socially vulnerable, or distressed areas.
• Defines “persistent poverty area” (≥20% poverty for four consecutive time periods) and clarifies a rural area as ≤50,000 population and not adjacent to a city >50,000.
• Amendment becomes effective six months after enactment and uses existing USDA loan/assistance authorities rather than creating a new appropriation.