In Senate Committee·Last action 313 days ago

Senator Hawley Backs $50 Billion for Rural Hospitals

Officially: Protect Medicaid and Rural Hospitals Act

Senator Josh Hawley introduces a bill to repeal Medicaid cuts and boost rural health funding by $50 billion. Affects rural hospitals and Medicaid patients by restoring funds and increasing support.

Where it stands

Sitting in Finance

No vote scheduled. Constituent contact is what moves bills out of committee.

What this bill actually does

Repeal Medicaid provider tax changes: Restores state authority to levy taxes on healthcare providers for Medicaid funding.
Repeal state-directed payments changes: Restores state-directed Medicaid payments to specific providers.
Increase rural health funding: Adds $50 billion for rural health programs from 2031 to 2035.

↓ Why your message matters here

This bill is sitting in committee with no scheduled vote — which means a small number of constituent messages can decide whether it moves forward or quietly dies.

Where your representatives stand

Enter your ZIP to see how your senators and member of Congress have voted, sponsored, or spoken on this bill.

The debate

What people are saying about this bill

✓Arguments in support

Restores state flexibility in Medicaid funding, allowing states to maintain essential revenue streams without federal restrictions.
Protects rural hospitals from potential closures, ensuring continued access to healthcare for rural communities.
Boosts rural health transformation with $50 billion, supporting initiatives like telehealth and workforce expansion.

✕Arguments against

Undermines federal Medicaid cost controls, potentially increasing federal spending due to the removal of funding limits.
Rescinds funds without offsets, raising concerns about the impact on the federal deficit.
Favors rural areas over urban needs, possibly diverting resources from urban hospitals that serve a large portion of Medicaid enrollees.

Where this bill is in the process

Legislative timeline

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Introduced

Introduced in Senate

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Senate Committee

Under Senate committee consideration

Latest: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (7/15/2025)

JUL 15

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Senate Floor Vote

Voted on by Senate

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Passed Senate

Approved by Senate

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House Review

Sent to House for consideration

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Passed Both Chambers

Approved by both House and Senate

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Signed into Law

Signed by the President

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Senator Hawley Backs $50 Billion for Rural Hospitals

Where your representatives stand

What people are saying about this bill

Legislative timeline

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