What They’re Saying: Leaders Across the Nation Applaud Senate Passage of Bennet, Grassley Legislation to Extend Rural Hospital Program

 Pursuant to Senate Policy, petitions, opinion polls, and unsolicited mass electronic communications cannot be initiated by this office for the 60-day period immediately before the date of a primary or general election. Subscribers currently receiving electronic communications from this office who wish to unsubscribe may do so here . M About About Michael Legislation News Press Releases Social Media Newsletter Archive Services Priorities Top Issues Child Tax Credit Investing in Colorado Contact Map Español Acerca de Michael Escribe a Michael Prioridades Servicios Visitando D.C. What They’re Saying: Leaders Across the Nation Applaud Senate Passage of Bennet, Grassley Legislation to Extend Rural Hospital Program Denver — Over a dozen rural hospital leaders from across Colorado and the United States are praising the unanimous Senate passage of the Rural Community Hospital Demonstration Reauthorization Act, led by Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet, co-chair of the Senate Rural Health Caucus, and Iowa U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley.  The bipartisan, bicameral legislation provides a […] Jun 3, 2026 | Press Releases Denver — Over a dozen rural hospital leaders from across Colorado and the United States are praising the unanimous Senate passage of the Rural Community Hospital Demonstration Reauthorization Act, led by Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet, co-chair of the Senate Rural Health Caucus, and Iowa U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley. The bipartisan, bicameral legislation provides a lifeline to rural hospitals by extending the Rural Community Hospital Demonstration (RCHD) for another five years, allowing hospitals to continue testing innovative hospital payment models under Medicare that boost financial sustainability and improve rural access to care. Currently, four Colorado hospitals participate in RCHD: Delta Health, Valley View Medical Center, Montrose Regional Health, and San Luis Valley Health. In addition to Colorado, 12 other states have hospitals in the program: Iowa, Alaska, Kansas, Maine, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Vermont, and Wyoming. “We appreciate Senator Bennet and Senator Grassley’s leadership in supporting policies that recognize the challenges facing rural hospitals. The Rural Community Hospital Demonstration program provides a practical, proven approach to sustaining access to care by aligning Medicare payment with the real costs of providing services in rural communities. This program is about keeping care local, to ensure Colorado residents can receive timely, high-quality care, close to home,” said Jeff Tieman, Colorado Hospital Association’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “Montrose Regional Health is proud to support Senator Bennet’s leadership in advancing a five-year extension of the Rural Community Hospital Demonstration program. This program is critical to sustaining access to high-quality care in rural communities like ours. It provides the stability and flexibility needed to navigate the unique financial and operational challenges we face, while continuing to invest in services that keep care close to home. We appreciate Senator Bennet’s ongoing commitment to strengthening rural healthcare across Colorado,” said Jeff Mengenhausen, Montrose Regional Health’s Chief Executive Officer “As a rural health system serving the San Luis Valley, we are already seeing the benefits of participating in the Rural Community Hospital Demonstration Program,” said Konnie Martin, San Luis Valley Health’s Chief Executive Officer. “This program is helping us strengthen our financial footing and bring in the resources we need to preserve critical services for our community. As the only provider of Level III trauma and obstetric care within a 120-mile radius, our ability to remain open and fully operational is essential. The care we provide is not only vital to the health of our region, but also to its economic stability as the largest employer in the San Luis Valley. Senator Bennet’s legislation to extend this program will help ensure rural hospitals like ours can continue to serve our communities for years to come.” “Rural hospitals like Delta Health operate on incredibly thin margins while serving vulnerable patient populations across Delta County,” said Nick Colleran, Delta Health’s Interim Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer. “The Rural Community Hospital Demonstration Program has been a lifeline for our rural hospital, providing the stable, predictable reimbursement we need to keep our doors open and continue delivering essential services, such as oncology care, to our community. At a time when we are facing mounting financial challenges such as our 2025 Medicare loss on charges of $45,161,765.00, as well the loss of critical resources and increasing administrative burdens, this program offers real, immediate support – not theoretical funding. Senator Bennet’s legislation to extend the Rural Community Hospital Demonstration Program is exac