Little Apple Times

U.S. Representatives Tracey Mann (KS-01) and Jill Tokuda (HI-02) have introduced a bipartisan legislative package aimed at updating federal guidelines for Rural Health Clinics (RHCs). The package includes the Modernizing Rural Physician Assistant and Nurse Practitioner Utilization Act, the Rural Health Clinic Location Modernization Act, and the Rural Behavioral Health Improvement Act. Thirteen other members of Congress joined as cosponsors.

The proposed legislation seeks to modernize access to RHCs and improve services for over 40 million Americans living in rural areas. The bills are designed to reduce regulatory barriers and give rural health care professionals more flexibility in serving their communities.

“No American should have to sacrifice access to quality health care because of their zip code,” said Rep. Mann. “We should not force millions of Americans who live outside of urban areas to be limited in the care they can receive because of outdated laws and regulations that haven’t been reevaluated since the 1970s. The world looks vastly different than it did when Rural Health Clinics were established 47 years ago. As the representative of 60 primarily rural counties across the state of Kansas, I understand the unique challenge rural America faces in accessing quality health care. Our legislation removes these regulatory barriers and makes necessary modernizations that bring rural health care into the 21st century. Health care should not and cannot be a one-size-fits-all policy. These commonsense reforms better equip health care facilities and professionals to better meet the needs of the communities they serve."

Rep. Jill Tokuda added, “Rural Health Clinics play a vital role in delivering care to rural and underserved communities. That’s why I’m proud to team up with Rep. Mann to introduce these bipartisan bills, including the Rural Behavioral Health Improvement Act, to cut red tape and expand access to both behavioral and primary care. By modernizing old rules and empowering our health care workforce, we’re giving Rural Health Clinics the tools they need to deliver faster, better care to patients from Puna to Hanalei in Hawaii and throughout rural America.”

The Modernizing Rural Physician Assistant and Nurse Practitioner Utilization Act would align federal regulations with state scope-of-practice laws for Physician Assistants (PAs) and Nurse Practitioners (NPs), allowing them greater autonomy within RHCs regardless of location or employer.

Organizations such as the National Association of Rural Health Clinics, National Rural Health Association, National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health, and American Association of Nurse Practitioners support this legislation.

The Rural Health Clinic Location Modernization Act would update eligibility criteria for RHC certification by including areas with fewer than 50,000 people—a change prompted by shifts in Census definitions that previously left some communities uncertain about eligibility.

This bill is also supported by several national organizations focused on rural health.

The Rural Behavioral Health Improvement Act would remove restrictions limiting behavioral health services at RHCs—currently capped at 49%—allowing clinics more flexibility in offering mental health and substance abuse treatment while maintaining certification status.

Supporters include groups such as American Psychological Association Services, National Association for Rural Mental Health, American Mental Health Counselors Association, American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, National Association of Social Workers, among others.

“My focus on the Agriculture Committee goes beyond supporting the farm economy—it’s about uplifting rural communities across the Mohawk Valley and Central New York,” said Rep. Mannion. Too many Americans still struggle to access health care, which is why I’m proud to cosponsor bipartisan solutions that modernize Rural Health Clinics and expand critical behavioral health services. Equal access to health care must be a guarantee, not a privilege, no matter where you live.”

“Supporting rural hospitals in California’s 22nd Congressional District is one of my top priorities, and I know how critical it is for families to have access to quality care close to home,” said Rep. Valadao. “This bipartisan package modernizes outdated federal rules so rural providers and clinics can better serve patients, because empowering health care professionals is the best way to ensure communities get the care they deserve.”

“No one should be denied quality health care simply because they live in a rural community," said Rep. Thompson. "For too long, outdated rules and restrictions have stood in the way of families in places like the Mississippi Delta getting the care they need. These bills break down those barriers by giving nurse practitioners and physician assistants the ability to fully use their training, modernizing eligibility for rural health clinics, and expanding access to behavioral health services. Rural communities face unique challenges, but they deserve the same access to care as anyone else. This legislation is a commonsense step toward making sure health care works for every community.”

"The 5,700+ Rural Health Clinics across the country applaud the leadership of Rep. Mann and Rep. Tokuda on these important regulatory reduction bills," said Sarah Hohman, Director of Government Affairs for the National Association of Rural Health Clinics. "Modernizing these aspects of the RHC statute from their 1977 origin reflects a commitment to the future of outpatient health care access in rural America."

Tracey Mann has represented Kansas’ 1st district since replacing Roger Marshall in Congress in 2021 (https://mann.house.gov/about). Born in Quinter, Kansas in 1976, he currently lives in Salina.

For more information on Rep. Mann visit www.mann.house.gov