WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Josh Riley (NY-19) announced today that he has cosponsored the Rural Hospital Stabilization Act of 2025 (H.R. 3063), bipartisan legislation to provide $500 million in emergency support to rural hospitals struggling to stay open after devastating cuts from the GOP’s “One Big Beautiful Bill.”
“Rural communities shouldn’t lose their hospitals just because Washington politicians chose to hand out tax breaks to billionaires and big corporations,” said Congressman Josh Riley. “This bipartisan bill is a lifeline. It will help keep the doors open, keep care close to home, and make sure families in Upstate New York aren’t left behind.”
The bill authorizes the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Office of Rural Health Policy, to award grants of up to $5 million per hospital over five years. Funding can be used to:
- Repair and modernize facilities, equipment, and systems.
- Cover essential operating costs — including payroll and debt service — to prevent shutdowns.
Hospitals must demonstrate how funding will stabilize operations, protect access for rural residents, and create a plan for long-term sustainability.
Riley’s record of fighting for Upstate healthcare:
- H.R. 2610 – Protecting Options for Seniors Act (2025): Co-sponsored a bipartisan bill to address the Medicare hospital wage index, ensuring fairer reimbursement rates for rural and small-town hospitals so they can retain staff and stay financially viable.
Source: Congress.gov – H.R. 2610 - Community Project Funding Requests (FY2026): Submitted $55 million in local health care and hospital projects, including:
- Margaretville Primary Care Renovation Project ($618,750)
- Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital diagnostic and monitoring equipment ($1,000,000)
- Refuah Health Center construction in South Fallsburg ($2,000,000)
- Southern Tier Regional School of Practical Nursing ($1,595,950)
Source: Riley House Press Release – FY26 Community Projects
- Opposition to GOP “One Big Beautiful Bill” (2025): Publicly opposed GOP budget that cut Medicaid and threatened hospital closures in Upstate New York. Voted against bill – H.R. 1
- Lowering Prescription Drug Costs (2025): Pushed to include amendments in budget proceedings to reduce drug costs for Upstate families. Called out Republicans for refusing to take up the amendment.
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