Rural Health Focus Act

Bill: 119-s-403
Sponsor: full_name: Sen. Hyde-Smith, Cindy [R-MS]
Introduced: 2025-02-05
Latest action: action_date: 2025-02-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Summaries:
action_date: 2025-02-05
action_desc: Introduced in Senate
text: <p><strong>Rural Health Focus Act</strong></p><p>This bill provides statutory authority for the Office of Rural Health (ORH) within the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The&nbsp;CDC established the ORH in 2023 in response to a congressional directive, and it currently leads the CDC’s rural public health strategy.</p><p>Specifically, the bill requires the CDC to establish the ORH and select a director to head the ORH. The bill specifies the duties and authorities of the&nbsp;ORH director, including improving understanding of particular challenges and implementing programs to improve health care for rural populations.&nbsp;</p>

tv_txt: II 119th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 403 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES February 5, 2025 Mrs. Hyde-Smith (for herself and Mr. Merkley ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions A BILL To direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish an Office of Rural Health, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Rural Health Focus Act . 2. CDC Office of Rural Health (a) In general The Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, shall establish within the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention an office to be known as the Office of Rural Health, to be headed by a director selected by the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (b) Duties and authorities The duties and authorities of the Director of the Office of Rural Health shall be limited to the following: (1) Serving as the primary point of contact in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on matters pertaining to rural health. (2) Assisting the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in conducting, coordinating, and promoting research regarding public health issues affecting rural populations, and in disseminating the results of such research. (3) Working with all personnel and offices of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to develop, refine, coordinate, and promulgate policies, best practices, lessons learned, and innovative, successful programs to improve care and services (including through telehealth) for rural populations. (4) Coordinating and supporting rural health research, conducting and supporting educational outreach, and disseminating evidence-based interventions related to health outcomes, access to health care, and lifestyle challenges, to prevent death, disease, injury, and disability, and promote healthy behaviors in rural populations. (5) Improving the understanding of the health challenges faced by rural populations. (6) Identifying disparities in the availability of health care and public health interventions for rural populations. (7) Awarding and administering grants, cooperative agreements, and contracts to provide technical assistance and other activities as necessary to support activities related to improving health and health care in rural areas. (8) Coordinating with the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy of the Health Resources and Services Administration, as needed, to facilitate cooperation on rural health initiatives and avoid duplication of efforts.