NRHA statement on bicameral, bipartisan L-HHS funding bill.

On January 20, 2026, the House Appropriations Committee released a bicameral, bipartisan fiscal year (FY) 2026 Labor, Health and Human Services (L-HHS) funding bill that also includes critical rural Medicare extenders. This bill is expected to pass the House later this week and the Senate next week. 

NRHA is pleased to see Congress’ strong support for rural health through increased funding for many of our core rural programs at the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy. Over 190 rural hospitals have closed or stopped providing inpatient care since 2010, and this robust investment recognizes the need to fully fund and support the rural health safety net to ensure all rural residents have access to quality care. 

We also appreciate Congress’ extensions of Medicare programs and designations, including the Medicare-dependent hospital designation, low-volume hospital payments, rural ambulance payment, and telehealth flexibilities. However, year-long, short-term extenders put rural hospitals and patients in an uncertain position that makes long-term financial planning more difficult and undermines the benefit of the programs. NRHA urges Congress to implement permanent extensions for these programs in order to sustain the rural infrastructure and guarantee stability for providers.

Please find NRHA’s Rural Health Medicare Extenders leave-behind here and FY 2026 appropriations one pager here. We encourage you to utilize our extenders advocacy campaign and FY 26 appropriations advocacy campaign to make sure this bill crosses the finish line and is passed by Congress by January 30.