Press Releases

WASHINGTON – Last week, Congressman John Duarte (CA-13) joined a coalition of Democrats and Republicans in introducing the Rural Hospital Technical Assistance Program Act to protect and strengthen rural hospitals. This bill makes permanent an existing program at the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) that provides technical assistance for rural hospitals to help prevent closures, strengthen essential healthcare services in rural communities, and improve financial and operational performance.

“Valley families deserve accessible, quality healthcare. Our Valley is all too familiar with the challenges faced by rural hospitals, especially with the Madera Community Hospital closing in 2022. This legislation creates programs to ensure that these facilities get the resources they need. This bill will help prevent hospital closures, improves operations for facilities receiving rural development funds, and protects vital health services in communities throughout the Valley. We’re working to keep hospital doors open and protect rural healthcare in our communities,” said Rep. Duarte.

The full bill text can be found here. This legislation is supported by the National Rural Health Association, American Hospital Association, the Alliance of Safety-Net Hospitals, National Association of Rural Health Clinics, National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health, and others. A full list of statements of support for this legislation can be found here.