{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://flood.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-flood-co-leads-bill-extending-key-rural-community-hospital-program", "Congressman Flood Co-Leads Bill Extending Key Rural Community Hospital Program", "2026-05-21", "2026", "2026-05", "Republican", "House", "NE", "Mike Flood", "F000474", "flood.house.gov", "flood", "https://flood.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Representatives Mike Flood (R-NE), Randy Feenstra (R-IA), Jared Golden (D-ME), and Janelle Bynum (D-OR) introduced the \u201cRural Community Hospital Demonstration Reauthorization Act\u201d as co-leads, with Representatives Adrian Smith (R-NE) and Tracey Mann (R-KS) joining as original cosponsors. The bill extends the Rural Community Hospital Demonstration (RCHD) program for an additional five years and allows facilities that previously cycled out of the program, as well as those set to cycle out in 2026, to rejoin.\n\n\u201cRural community hospitals are critical lifelines for families across the country,\u201d said Congressman Flood (R-NE). \u201cThe RCHD program is a much-needed tool with an outstanding track record of helping rural community hospitals deliver high-quality care to patients. This program is vital to many Nebraskans, and I am pleased to join Congressman Feenstra in extending this impactful program for another five years as a co-lead.\u201d\n\n\u201cBy reauthorizing the Rural Community Hospital Demonstration, we are ensuring rural hospitals have the support they need to keep their doors open and continue providing the essential services that keep Iowa\u2019s economy strong, families healthy, and communities thriving,\u201d said Congressman Feenstra (R-IA). \u201cWith a proven track record, this program provides rural hospitals with the financial stability needed to sustain health care services in our communities and ensure patients continue to have access to quality care close to home. I am honored to help lead this legislation in the House and strengthen support for Iowa\u2019s rural hospitals.\u201d\n\n\"The goal of keeping our rural hospitals and the critical services they provide open and accessible demands collaboration from lawmakers, providers, and local communities. It also requires the utilization of innovative models to sustain rural health care services. That is why the NHA is grateful to Congressman Flood for supporting the RCHD program. The loss of this program would threaten hospital stability, leading to service line cuts or closures. Participation in the RCHD keeps certain rural hospitals from falling through the cracks, helping them remain open to serve rural beneficiaries,\u201d said President and CEO of the Nebraska Hospital Association Jeremy Nordquist.\n\n\u201cThe Rural Community Hospital Demonstration has been essential to the sustainability of Columbus Community Hospital and the care we provide across our region. Over the past 20 years, the inpatient cost-based reimbursement model has enabled us to maintain critical services, recruit providers, and invest in modern facilities and technology. It has also allowed us to expand access to advanced care\u2014including the development of local cancer services\u2014so patients can receive treatment close to home. Without the demonstration, many of these services would not be financially viable in a rural setting,\u201d said President and CEO of Columbus Community Hospital Michael T. Hansen.\n\nEstablished in 2003, the RCHD program has included participation of over 50 hospitals across 17 states. The RCHD program allows Medicare to test innovative payment models supporting rural hospitals, boosting rural hospitals that are too large to be critical access hospitals but too small to benefit from Medicare\u2019s hospital inpatient prospective payment system.\n\nRCHD hospitals have been found to significantly improve their Medicare margins, make higher capital investments resulting in stronger financial conditions, and improve staff retention. The RCHD program has been reauthorized three times since 2003.", 1, "2026-06-27T21:44:12Z", "2026-06-27T22:21:02Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://flood.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-flood-co-leads-bill-extending-key-rural-community-hospital-program"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.0240222327411175, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}