Rural Health Care Facility Technical Assistance Program Act

This bill expands and puts into law a Department of Agriculture program that helps rural hospitals and clinics get expert guidance and training. It also renames it the Rural Health Care Facility Technical Assistance Program. The program helps each facility figure out what it needs to keep essential services, improve operations and quality, make long-term financial plans, and apply for USDA loans and grants . The goals are to prevent closures, strengthen health care in rural areas, and improve the financial health of facilities, while continuing the work of the existing technical assistance program.

USDA will reach out to eligible facilities and may prioritize those already involved in USDA programs, or those with older buildings, money troubles, electronic records needs, or that serve shortage or underserved areas and populations. The department must also provide annual reports on what the program did and how well it worked. Funding is capped at up to $2 million per year for fiscal years 2026 through 2030.

• Who is affected: Rural health care facilities, especially in shortage or underserved areas, and the communities they serve.
• What changes: More hands-on help with planning, finances, and applying for USDA funding; a formal program name and goals in law.
• When: Annual reports start one year after enactment; funding authorized for 2026–2030.