Lauren continues to advance legislation in order to: Support rural health care systems
Support rural health care systems.
Occurrences
strengthening access to quality health care in rural communities
Ms. Underwood (for herself and Mr. Mann) introduced the following bill... Full Title To prioritize health care facilities and mental or behavioral health facilities in the Community Facilities program for fiscal years 2026 through 2031, and allow loans and grants under the program to be used for medical supplies, increasing telehealth capabilities, supporting staffing needs, or renovating and remodeling closed facilities.
We must act immediately to address the significant challenges that people in our rural communities are facing in accessing quality health care
Evidence
Lauren continues to advance legislation in order to: Expand the mental health workforce Support rural health care systems End our nation’s maternal health crisis Modernize our public health data infrastructure
Ms. Underwood (for herself and Mr. Mann) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Agriculture ... To prioritize health care facilities and mental or behavioral health facilities in the Community Facilities program for fiscal years 2026 through 2031, and allow loans and grants under the program to be used for medical supplies, increasing telehealth capabilities, supporting staffing needs, or renovating and remodeling closed facilities.
Representative Lauren Underwood introduced the Prioritizing Rural Hospitals Act, bipartisan legislation co-led by Rep. Tracey Mann (R-KS). The Prioritizing Rural Hospitals Act would address the pressing health care disparities that rural communities face by prioritizing funding for rural health care facilities applying for Rural Development funding through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
Representative Lauren Underwood ... announced that she has secured $2,565,000 in Community Project Funding to support food security in the Illinois Valley, rural health care, and the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation in DeKalb.
“strengthening rural access to health care” and “strengthening access to quality health care in rural communities” in FY2027 Community Project Funding requests; also notes Underwood recently secured $13 million in FY2026 Community Project Funding.
Underwood announced she secured $2,565,000 in Community Project Funding to support food security in the Illinois Valley, rural health care, and the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation in DeKalb.
The House record references rural health care issues and legislation during floor proceedings, including discussion around rural care and hospital closures in the same period Underwood was actively pursuing related funding and legislation.
Underwood introduced the Prioritizing Rural Hospitals Act to prioritize funding for rural health care facilities and address rural health care disparities.
The bill text states it would prioritize health care facilities and mental or behavioral health facilities in USDA Community Facilities funding and allow funds for medical supplies, telehealth capabilities, staffing, and renovations.
Congress.gov lists Underwood as the sponsor of H.R. 4272, introduced July 2, 2025, with the stated purpose of prioritizing health care facilities and mental/behavioral health facilities in USDA Community Facilities funding.
The FY27 Community Project Funding page lists "Improving Rural Health Rapid Response in Putnam County," requesting an ambulance and equipment for the county's sole EMS provider.
The same FY27 page also lists "Strengthening Rural Healthcare for Farmers and Families in Mendota, IL," a $1.25 million request to expand a rural health center with medical, dental, and behavioral services.
Congress.gov still shows H.R. 4272 as introduced and referred to House Agriculture, with no further actions or enactment since introduction.
Assessments
The promise is framed broadly as supporting rural health care systems, not as enacting a specific bill. Underwood materially advanced that goal during the same term by sponsoring the Prioritizing Rural Hospitals Act and by securing and requesting Community Project Funding explicitly directed to rural health care access, rural emergency response, and expansion of rural health services in Illinois. Although her targeted bill had not been enacted, the record shows concrete same-term support actions with real funding benefits, which is sufficient to count this broader promise as delivered rather than merely attempted.
Underwood clearly acted on the promise by introducing the Prioritizing Rural Hospitals Act and by securing and requesting Community Project Funding that explicitly included rural health care access. Those are concrete same-term steps that materially support rural health care systems. However, the evidence does not show a broad enacted federal policy or fully realized outcome sufficient to say the promise was fully delivered. The record supports meaningful progress and direct assistance, but not complete fulfillment.
Underwood made concrete same-term actions matching the broad promise to support rural health care systems: she introduced the Prioritizing Rural Hospitals Act to prioritize USDA Community Facilities funding for rural health and behavioral health facilities, and she secured Community Project Funding that included rural health care support. Because the promise was framed broadly as support rather than enactment of a specific bill or universal outcome, these legislative and funding actions are sufficient to count as delivered.