Sioux City Times

In February, U.S. Representative Randy Feenstra from Hull, Iowa, lent his support to legislation aimed at helping rural hospitals and healthcare facilities. Feenstra cosponsored the Rural Health Care Facility Technical Assistance Program Act to institutionalize the existing Rural Hospital Technical Assistance Program at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) with a new name: the Rural Health Care Facility Technical Assistance Program.

The program is intended to assist rural hospitals and healthcare facilities in various areas, including improving care, financial stability, the use of telehealth services, and promoting operational efficiencies. It also focuses on implementing best practices in these facilities.

Rep. Feenstra emphasized the program's significance for rural areas. "Ensuring that our rural hospitals and healthcare facilities remain open and operational is critical to the health and wellbeing of our families and communities. We need to make proactive investments in our rural healthcare infrastructure so that we can reverse the alarming trend of hospital closures in rural areas," he stated.

He further elaborated on his commitment to the legislation, stating, "That’s why I’m glad to support legislation to codify an important USDA program that provides targeted technical assistance to rural hospitals and healthcare clinics. This initiative helps keep healthcare facilities open by promoting best practices, supporting financial stability, retaining healthcare professionals, and providing quality care for patients. As a father of four and member of both the House Agriculture Committee and House Ways and Means Committee, I will continue to advocate for policies that protect our rural hospitals and deliver affordable, reliable healthcare for our families."