Rural Community Hospital Demonstration Program Reauthorization
Introduced Apr 30, 2026 by Sen. Chuck Grassley
The Senate passed it. The House has to pass it before it can reach the President.
This bill extends the Rural Community Hospital Demonstration Program for an additional five years. The program tests the feasibility of cost-based reimbursement under Medicare for small rural hospitals that are too large to qualify for special payment as critical access hospitals.
The bill specifies that hospitals that participate in the program between December 30, 2024, and January 1, 2027, may continue to participate during the five-year extension period.
Summary by the Congressional Research Service.
No recorded roll-call vote on this bill — it may have passed by voice vote or unanimous consent, which don't record individual votes.
- May 21, 2026Held at the desk.
- May 21, 2026Received in the House.
- May 21, 2026Message on Senate action sent to the House.
- May 20, 2026Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S2428; text: CR S2428)
- May 20, 2026Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.
- May 20, 2026Senate Committee on Finance discharged by Unanimous Consent.
- Apr 30, 2026Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
- Apr 30, 2026Introduced in Senate