U.S. Rep. Jill Tokuda of Hawaii has joined a bipartisan group of lawmakers in introducing legislation supporting the issuance of interest-free loans for up to 10 years for the construction and renovation of rural hospitals.

Under the Rural Hospital Revitalization Act, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Community Facilities Program would provide the loans.

Supporters said the bill would allow rural hospitals to reinvest savings from reduced debt costs into clinical care, workforce retention and other operational needs.

“Rural hospitals are a lifeline for communities in Hawaiʻi and across the country that already struggle to access healthcare. But too many are being pushed to the brink by rising costs, workforce shortages, and reimbursement cuts, leaving outdated facilities in desperate need of repair and modernization,” Tokuda said in a statement.

“The Rural Hospital Revitalization Act will help hospitals finance critical construction, repair aging infrastructure, and modernize facilities so they can keep their doors open and continue providing lifesaving care close to home. When rural hospitals close, families pay the price. We cannot leave these communities behind.”

National and regional organizations endorsing the bill include the National Rural Health Association, the National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health, the Eastern Plains Healthcare Consortium, the Association of Washington Public Health Districts and Lincoln Health.

Other House members introducing the bill include Reps. Jack Bergman (R-Mich.), Shomari Figures (D-Ala.), Carol Miller (R-W.Va.), Maxine Dexter (D-Ore.), Tracey Mann (R-Kan.), Sharice Davids (D-Kan.), Jeff Hurd (R-Colo.) and Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.).

Sens. Jerry Moran, R-Kan., and Michael Bennet, D-Colo., introduced the Senate version of the legislation in March 2026.