# Senators Push Rural Hospital Program Extension

> Senators Hoeven and Fedorchak introduce bill to extend rural hospital Medicare program by five years.
- Title: Senators Push Rural Hospital Program Extension | Shortify
- Summary: Senators Hoeven and Fedorchak introduce bill to extend rural hospital Medicare program by five years. Senators Hoeven and Fedorchak introduced legislation to…
- Keywords: frontier community health integration pr, medicare, rural hospitals, senator hoeven, rep fedorchak, north dakota, montana, news, local, Senators, Push, Rural
- Source: Valleynewslive — https://valleynewslive.com/2026/09/23/hoeven-fedorchak-introduce-bill-extend-rural-hospital-program
- Published: 2026-09-23T21:39:42.441+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: frontier community health integration pr, medicare, rural hospitals, senator hoeven, rep fedorchak, north dakota, montana, news, local
## New rural hospital program bill
Sen. John Hoeven and Rep. Julie Fedorchak, both R-N.D., introduce legislation to extend Medicare's rural hospital program by five years.
## Frontier Community Health Integration Project
The Frontier Community Health Integration Project tests new ways for rural hospitals to deliver care and get Medicare reimbursement while improving patient outcomes and controlling costs.
## Three North Dakota hospitals
Three North Dakota hospitals participate: Jacobson Memorial Hospital Care Center in Elgin, McKenzie County Healthcare Systems in Watford City, and Southwest Healthcare Services in Bowman.
## Program benefits
Participating hospitals can add skilled nursing beds, increase telehealth services, and cover ambulance costs under FCHIP.
## Senate cosponsors
Senate bill has cosponsors: Sens. Kevin Cramer, Tim Sheehy, and Steve Daines.
## Support from health groups
National Rural Health Association, North Dakota Hospital Association, and Montana Hospital Association support the bill.
## Key takeaway

Senators Hoeven and Fedorchak introduced legislation to extend the Frontier Community Health Integration Project by five years to help rural hospitals stay open and control costs.