The U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 7567, the Farm, Food and National Security Act of 2026, on April 30, which includes several provisions supporting rural healthcare infrastructure, broadband expansion and behavioral health services. The legislation includes six provisions championed by the National Rural Health Association (NRHA), several of which directly affect rural hospital operations, financial sustainability and patient care. All programs would be reauthorized through fiscal year 2031, a meaningful commitment to rural health infrastructure.
Key Provisions for Rural Hospitals
Technical Assistance for Rural Providers
The legislation codifies and expands the existing U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Health Care Facility Technical Assistance Program, which supports rural facilities in preventing closures, strengthening essential services and improving financial sustainability. Eligible facilities would include critical access hospitals, rural emergency hospitals, rural health clinics, community health centers, home health agencies and psychiatric hospitals.
This change ensures more Michigan rural providers can access support before reaching a crisis point. The program is authorized at $2 million annually for fiscal years 2026-2030. The bill also expands the use of the Community Facilities Loan and Grant Program to help rural hospitals access capital funding.
Broadband and Telehealth Expansion
The legislation includes several broadband and telehealth investments aimed at improving connectivity in rural communities.
The ReConnect Program would transition into a new ReConnect Rural Broadband Program authorized at $350 million annually for five years, with minimum eligibility speeds raised to 50/25 Mbps. The program prioritizes underserved rural communities.
The Distance Learning and Telemedicine (DLT) Program would be reauthorized at $82 million annually to support telehealth infrastructure and equipment for rural hospitals and health systems. The Community Connect Grant Program would also be reauthorized at $50 million annually to support the construction of broadband networks in unserved communities.
Rural Behavioral Health Services
The bill extends the existing 20% set-aside in the DLT Program and prioritizes substance use disorder projects in the Community Facilities Loan and Grant Program. The legislation also expands eligibility to include mental health, behavioral health and maternal health treatment services.
According to NRHA, the provisions would help rural hospitals strengthen behavioral health services and expand access to care in underserved communities.
The legislation also includes broader rural health-related provisions supporting agricultural workforce development, rural food security programs and farmer mental health initiatives through reauthorization of the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network.
Next Steps
The Senate Agriculture Committee has not yet released its version of the Farm Bill, though the committee leadership has indicated legislative text is expected in the coming weeks. Differences between the House and Senate versions will need to be reconciled before final passage.
The NRHA is urging rural hospitals and health advocates to contact members of Congress and press the Senate to act. MHA rural members are encouraged to engage through the NRHA’s Farm Bill Advocacy Campaign.
Members with questions may contact Caroline Stoner at the MHA Center of Rural Excellence.
