A bill to codify the Rural Hospital Technical Assistance Program of the Department of Agriculture.

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.

Bill 119 s 1282, also known as the Rural Hospital Technical Assistance Program Codification Act, aims to officially establish the Rural Hospital Technical Assistance Program within the Department of Agriculture. This program is designed to provide support and resources to rural hospitals in order to improve their operations and ensure they can continue to serve their communities effectively.

The bill outlines the specific goals of the program, which include assisting rural hospitals in implementing best practices, improving financial stability, and enhancing quality of care for patients. It also lays out the eligibility criteria for hospitals to participate in the program, as well as the types of technical assistance that will be provided.

Additionally, the bill addresses the funding and administration of the program, specifying that it will be funded through appropriations and overseen by the Secretary of Agriculture. It also requires the Secretary to report to Congress annually on the program's activities and outcomes. Overall, Bill 119 s 1282 seeks to formalize and strengthen the Rural Hospital Technical Assistance Program in order to better support rural hospitals and ensure they can continue to provide essential healthcare services to their communities.