introduced bipartisan legislation today to extend for five years a program to provide increased Medicare matching funds to rural hospitals
Extend the Rural Community Hospital Demonstration Program for five years, through 2031.
Occurrences
introduced the “Rural Community Hospital Demonstration Reauthorization Act” as co-leads
Golden co-leads legislation to extend rural hospital program
The Rural Community Hospital Demonstration Reauthorization Act (S.4460) would reauthorize the Rural Community Hospital Demonstration (RCHD) program for another five years.
Evidence
legacy_unverified · Source version not recorded · locator unknown
Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) introduced bipartisan legislation today to extend for five years a program to provide increased Medicare matching funds to rural hospitals including facilities in Ellsworth and Presque Isle. The bill — the Rural Community Hospital Demonstration Program Reauthorization Act — was sponsored by U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra (IA-04), and co-led by Golden and Reps. Mike Flood (NE-01) and Janelle Bynum (OR-05). It is companion legislation to a bill that passed this week in the Senate. ... The bill would extend the program until 2031.
legacy_unverified · Source version not recorded · locator unknown
Representatives Mike Flood (R-NE), Randy Feenstra (R-IA), Jared Golden (D-ME), and Janelle Bynum (D-OR) introduced the “Rural Community Hospital Demonstration Reauthorization Act” as co-leads... The bill extends the Rural Community Hospital Demonstration (RCHD) program for an additional five years and allows facilities that previously cycled out of the program, as well as those set to cycle out in 2026, to rejoin.
legacy_unverified · Source version not recorded · locator unknown
The bill (S. 4460) ... to provide for an extension of the rural community hospital demonstration program ... SEC. 2. FIVE-YEAR EXTENSION OF THE RURAL COMMUNITY HOSPITAL DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM.
legacy_unverified · Source version not recorded · locator unknown
The Rural Community Hospital Demonstration Reauthorization Act (S.4460) would reauthorize the Rural Community Hospital Demonstration (RCHD) program for another five years.
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The Rural Community Hospital Demonstration Reauthorization Act is a key step to provide continued support for rural health care in America.
legacy_unverified · Source version not recorded · locator unknown
Golden's office said he introduced bipartisan House legislation to extend the program for five years, co-led the bill with Feenstra, Flood, and Bynum, and that the bill would extend the program until 2031.
legacy_unverified · Source version not recorded · locator unknown
Flood's office said Representatives Flood, Feenstra, Golden, and Bynum introduced the Rural Community Hospital Demonstration Reauthorization Act as co-leads and that the bill extends RCHD for an additional five years.
legacy_unverified · Source version not recorded · locator unknown
The Congressional Record shows S.4460 was taken up by unanimous consent, read a third time, and passed in the Senate. The text would change the RCHD extension period from 15 years to 20 years.
legacy_unverified · Source version not recorded · locator unknown
CMS describes the RCHD as extended by statute three times, with the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 extending it another five years to run through June 30, 2028; the listed authority does not include a 2026 extension through 2031.
legacy_unverified · Source version not recorded · locator unknown
Grassley's office announced that Grassley and Bennet introduced the Rural Community Hospital Demonstration Reauthorization Act to extend RCHD for another five years, with Senator Angus King among cosponsors.
legacy_unverified · Source version not recorded · locator unknown
Hyde-Smith's office said S.4460 would reauthorize RCHD for another five years and had been referred to the Senate Finance Committee.
legacy_unverified · Source version not recorded · locator unknown
CMS's RCHD page, last modified 09/01/2026, says the program has been extended by statute through the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, to run through June 30, 2028; it lists current authority as section 410A as amended by the ACA, 21st Century Cures Act, and section 128 of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021.
legacy_unverified · Source version not recorded · locator unknown
GovInfo lists H.R. 8967 as introduced in the House on May 21, 2026 by Rep. Feenstra for himself, Rep. Golden of Maine, and others; the listed action is referral to the Committee on Ways and Means. The bill text provides a five-year extension mechanism by changing the RCHD extension period from 15 years to 20 years.
Assessments
Golden materially advanced the promised policy in the same federal House term by co-leading House legislation to extend the Rural Community Hospital Demonstration Program for five years through 2031, and the Senate companion passed. However, the evidence does not show House passage or enactment, and CMS still lists the operative statutory authority as running only through June 30, 2028, not through 2031. Because the promised extension was attempted but not delivered, this is a failed delivery with effort credit.
Golden materially advanced the promise by co-leading House companion legislation in May 2026 to extend the Rural Community Hospital Demonstration Program for five years through 2031, and the Senate companion passed. However, the provided record does not show House passage or enactment, and CMS still lists the operative extension only through June 30, 2028. Because the promised policy outcome has not been delivered, but Golden made a serious legislative attempt during his current federal term, this is a failed delivery with an effort badge rather than full or partial fulfillment.
Golden materially advanced the promise by co-leading House legislation in May 2026 to extend the Rural Community Hospital Demonstration Program through 2031, and the Senate companion had already passed. That shows a serious bipartisan legislative effort in his current term. But the evidence provided does not show the extension was enacted into law or otherwise took effect by June 18, 2026. Because the promised outcome was the program's actual five-year extension, not just bill introduction or Senate passage, the promise was not delivered on the current record.
Golden materially advanced the promise by co-leading House legislation in May 2026 to extend the Rural Community Hospital Demonstration Program through 2031, and the Senate companion bill passed with the same five-year extension language. However, the evidence provided does not show final enactment into law. Because the promised outcome was an actual extension through 2031, and the record here shows a serious bipartisan legislative push but not completion, this is best scored as partial rather than delivered.