U.S. Sens Tommy Tuberville and Katie Britt introduced legislation Tuesday aimed at helping struggling rural hospitals preserve emergency services and gain greater flexibility under a federal Medicare designation. Tuberville (R-Auburn) and Britt (R-Montgomery) joined U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) in introducing the Rural Emergency Hospital Designation Improvement Act, known as the REH 2.0 Act. “Fifty-five of Alabama’s 67 counties are rural, and our rural hospitals provide a lifeline to Alabamians who live further away from larger medical facilities,” Tuberville said. The Rural Emergency Hospital designation was established in 2023 as an alternative for small rural hospitals facing closure. In May of this year, U.S. Rep. Aderholt secured federal grants covering nearly 30 rural hospitals around the state.