What We Know: U.S. Senator Josh Hawley of Missouri has introduced bipartisan legislation aimed at keeping rural hospital emergency rooms open and improving access to emergency care in small communities.
What It Means: The Rural Hospital Emergency Room Guarantee Act is co-sponsored by U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire and Missouri Senator Josh Hawley
The proposal comes as rural hospitals continue to face financial challenges.
Nearly 200 have closed nationwide since 2005, including more than a dozen in Missouri.
Hawley said rural families deserve reliable access to emergency medical care close to home.
What’s Next: If approved, the bill would create a 10-year federal funding program for eligible rural hospitals.
Each participating hospital would receive at least $1 million annually to help cover emergency room operating costs, with additional funding available based on a hospital’s needs.
The legislation also includes emergency payments of up to $250,000 for rural hospitals facing immediate closure.
Supporters say the proposal would help stabilize rural healthcare while allowing hospitals to continue receiving other federal healthcare funding and grants.
Nearly half of Missouri’s remaining rural hospitals are operating at a loss, and reports estimate about 10 hospitals across the state are at immediate risk of closing.
(Photo courtesy of Josh Hawley, US Senate)