Congressman Rogers Advances High Quality Health Care and Education in Rural America, Increases Low Income Energy Assistance, Supports Cancer Research

Includes $4 Million for Pikeville Medical Center’s AVA Childcare Academy WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Rep. Harold “Hal” Rogers (KY-05), Chairman Emeritus of the House Appropriations Committee, voted to advance federal funding to strengthen rural healthcare and education, combat the opioid epidemic, fast-track black lung claims for coal miners, reduce poverty, increase the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and invest in innovation and research for cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer’s, ALS and other rare diseases. Congressman Rogers’ request for $4 million in Community Project Funding for Pikeville Medical Center’s Appalachian Valley Angel (AVA) Academy was included in the bill to establish an on-site childcare facility, improving workforce stability. The committee passed the Fiscal Year 2027 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies Appropriations Act on Tuesday evening, sending it on to the U.S. House of Representatives for consideration. “This bill invests in a brighter future in Rural America, by investing in programs that improve access to healthcare and education, while working to reduce poverty and eliminate wasteful spending. Key educational resources are provided for first generation college students in this bill, like GEAR Up, the Federal TRIO Program, AmeriCorps services, and Pell Grants,” said Congressman Rogers, Dean of the House . “Overdose death rates are finally declining, with Kentucky leading the way, and this bill invests in our continued work for prevention, treatment and recovery programs. As we continue to battle cancer, diabetes and other diseases in our rural region, we are also making key investments in research to help prevent and treat the illnesses that countless families battle every day, prioritizing pediatric cancer research.” Efforts to combat the opioid epidemic remain strong in this legislation, including a $2 million increase for the Rural Communities Overdose Response Program. The Substance Use Disorder Treatment and Recovery (STAR) Loan Repayment Program receives another $40 million in the bill. Congressman Rogers co-created the program nearly a decade ago, giving medical students an incentive to help address treatment and recovery needs in underserved areas. As countless coal miners continue to battle black lung disease while waiting on their benefits, this bill directs the Department of Labor to provide the House Appropriations Committee with a quarterly report on efforts to improve the speed and quality of black lung claims processing. The legislation also includes key protections for women in sports and prohibits taxpayer dollars from being used for abortions. For more information about Congressman Rogers’ work in Washington and at home in Kentucky, visit halrogers.house.gov and follow him on social media . Bill Text Bill Summary