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Authorizes USDA to make temporary zero-percent Community Facilities Direct Loans to eligible rural hospitals for construction or renovation of hospital facilities.
Official title: To amend the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to make temporary zero-percent interest loans under the community facilities direct loan program to construct or renovate certain rural hospitals, and for other purposes.
Introduced May 21, 2026 by Jill Tokuda · Last progress May 21, 2026
Creates a new USDA loan authority to provide temporary zero-percent loans to eligible rural hospitals for construction of replacement facilities or renovation and improvement of existing hospital buildings. The loans are made through the Community Facilities Direct Loan Program and are limited to hospitals that meet population, distance, licensing age, and other eligibility requirements. The law sets permitted uses (construction, improvement, renovation) and requires hospital applications to include a needs statement and plans showing how funds will improve quality and financial viability. The text establishes the new statutory authority but does not specify dollar amounts, detailed application procedures, or deadlines.