Protect Medicaid and Rural Hospitals Act
Sponsored By: Senator Josh Hawley
Introduced
Summary
Restores pre‑existing Medicaid rules on state provider taxes and boosts rural hospital funding with $10 billion a year for FY2031–2035. This bill undoes recent changes to state-directed payments and increases resources for the Rural Health Transformation Program.
Show full summary
- State Medicaid programs: Reverts the changes made by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act to how states use provider taxes and make state-directed payments, restoring the prior Medicaid framework.
- Rural hospitals and providers: Adds $10.0 billion each year for FY2031 through FY2035 to the Rural Health Transformation Program, providing a total of $50.0 billion to support rural health efforts.
*Adds $50.0 billion in federal funding for rural health across FY2031–2035, increasing federal outlays.*
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.
More funding for rural hospitals
If enacted, the bill would add $10 billion each year for fiscal years 2031 through 2035 to the Rural Health Transformation Program. That is $10 billion for each year 2031, 2032, 2033, 2034, and 2035. The money would go to eligible rural hospitals and related providers. This could help rural hospital finances and patient access.
Cancels some Medicaid payments
If enacted, the bill would repeal Section 71116 of Public Law 119-21 and make that section have no force or effect. It would also rescind the amounts appropriated under section 71116(e) of Public Law 119-21. States and Medicaid providers that relied on that authority or money could lose federal support. This could reduce payments or support that affect Medicaid enrollees.
Restores old Medicaid provider tax rules
If enacted, the bill would repeal Section 71115 of Public Law 119-21 and require that title XIX be applied as if that section had not been enacted. That would restore the prior framework for state provider tax authority under Medicaid. Some states and providers could regain old financing options, while others could see revenue or payment shifts. Effects on enrollees would depend on how states change financing.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Josh Hawley
MO • R
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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