Jerry Moran (R-KS) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) introduced a bipartisan bill to improve the Rural Emergency Hospital (REH) Medicare designation so that more critical access hospitals and rural hospitals have access to federal resources. “During these visits, providers shared with me their recommendations for strengthening the Rural Emergency Hospital designation so it can better support the struggling facilities it was originally intended to serve. “Across West Virginia and in rural communities nationwide, far too many hospitals are facing challenges that threaten their ability to maintain operations,” said Sen. Capito. The measure would allow previously closed rural hospitals to re-open and apply for the REH designation if they can demonstrate they met all eligibility requirements between Jan. 1, 2015, and Dec. 27, 2020. S. 5164 is supported by the Kansas Hospital Association, Ascension Via Christi, SCK Health, Labette Health, Mercy Hospital, and the National Rural Health Association.