Bennet, Grassley, Colleagues Lead Bipartisan 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. Bennet, Grassley, Colleagues Lead Bipartisan Legislation to Extend Rural Hospital Program Rural Community Hospital Demonstration provides lifeline to rural communities  Washington, D.C. — Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet, co-chair of the Senate Rural Health Caucus, and Senator Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) introduced the Rural Community Hospital Demonstration Reauthorization Act to extend the Rural Community Hospital Demonstration (RCHD) program for another five years. RCHD provides a lifeline to […] May 1, 2026 | Press Releases Rural Community Hospital Demonstration provides lifeline to rural communities Washington, D.C. — Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet, co-chair of the Senate Rural Health Caucus, and Senator Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) introduced the Rural Community Hospital Demonstration Reauthorization Act to extend the Rural Community Hospital Demonstration (RCHD) program for another five years. RCHD provides a lifeline to rural hospitals by allowing them to test innovative hospital payment models under Medicare that boost financial sustainability to maintain and improve health care access in rural communities. Currently, there are four Colorado hospitals participating in RCHD: Delta Health, Valley View Medical Center, Montrose Regional Health, and San Luis Valley Health. “Rural hospitals are the lifeline of rural communities. They keep families healthy, support local economies, and make it possible for people to live and work in rural Colorado,” said Bennet. “At a time when many rural hospitals are already under significant financial strain, extending the Rural Community Hospital Demonstration program is critical to maintaining access to care. If Congress fails to extend this program, hospitals not only lose a vital source of funding, but rural Coloradans could face longer drives, delayed care, and fewer options close to home. I’ve heard directly from rural hospitals across Colorado about what’s at stake, and I’ll keep fighting to protect health care access for every Coloradan.” “The Rural Community Hospital Demonstration program gives rural hospitals a better shot at keeping their doors open to provide care for the community. With a proven track record of more than two decades, this program gives eligible hospitals financial stability to keep healthcare close to home for Iowans. While there’s more to be done, our Rural Community Hospital Demonstration Reauthorization Act is a key step to provide continued support for rural health care in America,” Grassley said. The RCHD is specifically designed to boost the viability of rural hospitals. RCHD has helped more than 50 rural hospitals keep their doors open for acute inpatient care close to home. The most recent performance data found that new RCHD hospitals significantly improved their Medicare margins and had higher capital investments, resulting in stronger financial conditions and helping with staff retention. Participating hospitals are mostly paid using a reasonable cost-based methodology instead of the inpatient prospective payment system. Today, all 30 spots are being used by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). “We appreciate Senator Bennet’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 pa