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House bill · 119th Congress

H.R. 4021: Rural Health Access and Stability Act of 2026

Would fund rural hospitals so emergency rooms and maternity wards stay open, and help pay off loans for clinicians who work in shortage areas.

Introduced September 16, 2025 by Rep. Andre Vargas [R-FL-3] · 18 cosponsors · Health

  1. Introduced

    A member formally files the measure.

  2. In committee

    A committee studies it and can change it.

  3. Passed one chamber (current)

    The originating chamber votes yes.

  4. Passed both chambers

    The other chamber passes the same text.

  5. To the President

    Signed, vetoed, or left to become law.

The House passed this measure. The Senate has not voted on it.

Plain language explanation

AI generated, reviewed by a human editor

H.R. 4021 would create a grant program for rural hospitals with fewer than 75 beds, capped at 6,000,000 dollars per facility each year. At least 20 percent of the money would have to go to hospitals in persistent poverty counties. The Congressional Budget Office estimates a net cost of 2.4 billion dollars over ten years. The House passed the bill on March 19, 2026 by a vote of 244 to 183, and the Senate has not voted on it.

Not established in the record:

  • Whether the Senate will schedule a vote this session.
  • How many hospitals would qualify in each state.

What this measure does

This bill would send money to small rural hospitals so they can keep emergency rooms and maternity wards open. It would also help pay off school loans for doctors and nurses who agree to work in places short on care. The government would have to publish yearly results for each hospital that gets money.

Engrossed in House · March 19, 2026

Cost estimate

Ten-year net effect of $2.4 billion in spending. CBO estimates the bill would increase direct spending by 2.4 billion dollars over the 2026 to 2036 period, with most outlays occurring in the first five years.

Subjects

Access to health care, Health facilities, Rural areas, Medicare, Medicaid, Preventive care, Health insurance, Grants

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What this means where you live

Congress.gov holds the text, actions and votes for H.R. 4021. District level effects and your representative's position are held by HouseConnect.

Reading a measure

Start with the plain-language summary and the status tracker. Every statement links back to the official action or bill text it came from, so you can check anything you read.

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