Senator Josh Hawley from Missouri has introduced new legislation to address the crisis in rural healthcare. He highlighted the urgent need for Congressional intervention to prevent the closure of emergency rooms in rural areas.
Senator Hawley stated, “Americans in rural areas face a significant shortage of emergency medical care.” He emphasized that 12 rural hospitals in Missouri have closed their emergency rooms in recent years, leaving many struggling to remain operational.
The bill, named the Rural Hospital Emergency Room Guarantee Act, aims to slow the rapid closure of rural hospitals. According to Senator Hawley’s office, the country has seen nearly 200 rural hospitals close since 2005, creating “emergency-room deserts” that force residents to travel long distances for emergency care.
In Missouri, this issue is particularly severe, with 12 emergency rooms closed since 2014. Data shows that almost half of the state’s rural hospitals operate at a financial loss, and around 20% are at immediate risk of closure.
The proposed legislation would create a mandatory, decade-long funding stream through the Health Resources and Services Administration. Eligible hospitals could receive a guaranteed $1 million annually to cover emergency room costs, adjusted for inflation. Additional funds would depend on specific needs related to location, finances, and patient demographics.
Rural hospitals at immediate closure risk might also get a one-time emergency payment of $250,000. The funding aims to help them remain operational without affecting eligibility for other federal programs.
Senator Hawley is scheduled to formally announce this legislation at an upcoming news conference.
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