During the week of February 10, 2020, Congressman Jodey Arrington (R-TX-19) announced the introduction of the Save Rural Communities Act (H.R. 5808). This legislation seeks to grant rural hospitals more flexibility in the services they provide. Specifically, it allows them to convert to an outpatient only, 24-hour emergency care center. The proposed change would allow hospitals to tailor their business model and balance their budgets, while also meeting the health care needs of their community.
