Miller, Sewell Introduce Rural Hospital Flexibility Act of 2024

Washington, D.C. - On this National Rural Health Day, Congresswoman Carol Miller (R-WV) and Congresswoman Terri Sewell (D-AL) introduced the Rural Hospital Flexibility Act of 2024 to reauthorize and modify the Medicare Rural Hospital Flexibility Program. The purpose of this program is to provide states with funding needed to support Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs).

"Without enough support or additional resources, it can be difficult for West Virginia's 21 Critical Access Hospitals and the other 1,332 CAHs in the U.S. to provide the quality health care that rural communities need. That's why I introduced the Rural Hospital Flexibility Act of 2024. This bill will reauthorize the Medicare Rural Hospital Flexibility Program so these hospitals continue to receive funding from states to further improve their health care systems and care for their patients," said Congresswoman Miller.

"At a time when Alabama's rural hospitals are facing enormous financial challenges, we must do all we can to ensure that patients in rural communities can access the lifesaving services they need. Reauthorizing the Rural Hospital Flexibility Program will help Critical Access Hospitals in Alabama keep their doors open and improve the quality of care they deliver to patients. I thank Congresswoman Miller for her partnership and urge my colleagues to join us in supporting this legislation," said Congresswoman Sewell.

"The National Rural Health Association (NRHA) thanks U.S. House of Representatives Carol Miller and Terri Sewell for their efforts to reauthorize the Medicare Rural Hospital Flexibility program. Flex is instrumental in serving Critical Access Hospitals across the country and ensuring they are able to support the health needs of their communities. We appreciate the Representatives' continued dedication to supporting rural health care," said Alan Morgan, CEO of The National Rural Health Association.

"On behalf of the 50 State Offices of Rural Health, we are thrilled to see Representatives Carol Miller and Terri Sewell introduce the FLEX Reauthorization bill. The FLEX grant program has been a lifeline for Rural Hospitals in West Virginia, Alabama, and all 50 states. This bill modernizes and solidifies the standing of the program in the eyes of Congress - we look forward to working with our rural champions to ensure Congress passes this bill into law," said Tammy Norville, CEO National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health.

"The West Virginia Hospital Association, which includes 21 Critical Access Hospitals across the state applauds Representative Carol Miller for introduction of the Rural Hospital Flexibility Act, which will permanently reauthorize the Medicare Rural Hospital Flexibility Program. This program will help ensure that critical health care services remain accessible in our smaller communities, supporting local hospitals that are often the lifeline of rural health care and economic infrastructure. The program supports educational and quality efforts to improve the quality of care in rural communities. For example, each year the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) assesses states based on various quality measures over the preceding 12 months. In 2024, West Virginia proudly secured a 4th place award for MBQIP quality measures nationwide and it's with the support of the Flex Program, West Virginia hospitals were able to collaborate with key partners to elevate the quality of care for all patients in West Virginia. Again, we thank Representative Miller for her leadership in supporting rural communities," said Jim Kaufman, President and CEO of the West Virginia Hospital Association.

Click here for bill text.

Background:

• The Rural Hospital Flexibility Program permits states to use funds that support CAHs through training, providing technical aid, and increasing access to high quality health care services in rural communities to help strengthen the rural health care system.
• CAHs are hospitals located in rural areas that hold 25 inpatient beds and are either more than 35 miles from the nearest hospital or more than 15 miles in mountainous terrains or only secondary roads.
• In April, Congresswoman Miller introduced the Preserving Emergency Access in Key Sites (PEAKS) Act to ensure Critical Access Hospitals in mountainous areas would receive fair compensation for ambulatory services and to modify distance requirements.

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