Rural and Coastal Health Access Improvement Act

Status: HopperSession: September 2026 Senate SessionIssue: Healthcare

Summary

This bill would increase federal support for healthcare access in rural and coastal underserved areas through grants for community clinics, telehealth broadband investment, and loan repayment incentives to attract doctors, nurses, mental health providers, and emergency workers. It prioritizes geographically isolated communities, including fishing towns and small towns with persistent provider shortages.

Full text

A bill to expand access to essential healthcare services in rural and coastal communities by increasing federal grant support for community health clinics, investing in broadband-enabled telehealth infrastructure, and establishing targeted loan repayment and workforce incentive programs for physicians, nurses, mental health providers, and emergency care personnel serving in federally designated underserved areas, with priority consideration for geographically isolated regions, fishing communities, and small towns facing persistent provider shortages.

Sponsor

Sarah TurnerDemocratic Party

Cosponsors

Edward WeberDemocratic Party
Jamal BennettDemocratic Party
Tony D'AngeloDemocratic Party
Larry RothDemocratic Party
Caroline FosterDemocratic Party
Dan MartinezDemocratic Party
Matt DelaneyDemocratic Party
Adrian KovachDemocratic Party
Terrance BooneDemocratic Party

Debate

Debate has not started yet. Once this bill is scheduled to the floor, chamber coverage and statements will appear here.