For fiscal years 2026 through 2031, this bill would require the Secretary of Agriculture to give priority to eligible applicants for Community Facilities direct loans and grants when the project is a health care facility or a mental or behavioral health facility (including certain certified community behavioral health clinics). Recipients could use the loan or grant money to provide medical supplies; increase telehealth capabilities, including underlying health care information systems; support staffing needs (but no more than 25 percent of the funds may be used for staffing); or renovate or remodel closed health care facilities. The bill also says the Secretary may not make national reprioritizations within the Community Facilities direct loan and grant programs under section 608 of the Rural Development Act of 1972 for the same fiscal years. The bill was introduced on July 2, 2025, and referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
If this bill becomes law, rural and small-town entities applying for USDA Community Facilities direct loans or grants between 2026 and 2031 would be moved ahead in priority if their projects are health care or behavioral health facilities. Awarded funds could buy medical supplies, expand telehealth systems, pay some staff costs (subject to a 25% cap), or renovate and reopen closed health facilities. The change would apply only for projects funded under the Community Facilities direct loan and grant programs in those fiscal years.
No publicly available information on the bill's costs or budgetary effects.
No publicly available information.
No publicly available information.