U.S. Rep. Shomari Figures, D-AL, is working to create a federal  grant program that would provide much needed assistance to the nation’s rural hospitals. 

Lack of funding for rural hospitals is a serious issue in Alabama, where more than half of the state’s 52 rural hospitals are in danger of closing. Figures, who represents Pike and 12 other counties in the Second Congressional District, said there were five rural hospitals in the district that were at risk of closing. 

“When we were traveling the district and talking to hospital administrators and local leaders, the thing that continued to jump out was a lack of funding for rural hospitals,” Figures said. “Their aren’t a lot of federal grants that will help rural hospitals with personnel cost and payroll. A lot of rural hospitals aren’t able to make payroll from month to month, so they have to rely on local funding to remain in operation.”

Figures and U.S. Rep. and Brian Jack, R-GA, introduced the bipartisan Rural Hospital Stabilization Act of 2025 this week. The act is a bill that would provide financial support to rural hospitals in Alabama, Georgia and across the country. 

The bill would authorize two different types of grants. The first would be for the acquisition, repair or upgrades of systems, facilities and equipment for rural hospitals. The second grant would allow rural hospitals to submit grant applications for operational costs, including payroll expenses, and debt payments. 

Each rural hospital would be eligible to receive up to $5 million in grants in a five year period. 

“In my district, we are on pace to lose nearly every other hospital over the next couple of years that is not located in Mobile or Montgomery,” Figures said. “This is not sustainable, and it’s an issue that goes beyond health care access. It significantly impacts the economic vitality of rural communities because businesses and people do not want to be in areas that do not have hospitals. I’m proud to introduce this critical legislation with my colleague Rep. Brian Jack because we both understand protecting rural hospitals should not be a partisan issue. I will continue to work to protect our rural hospitals to ensure people who live in these communities can access quality, affordable health care.”  

Figures said funding for rural hospitals is a nationwide issue that affects everyone. He said because rural hospital funding was a bipartisan issue, he partnered with Jack on the legislation. 

“I am proud to introduce the Rural Hospital Stabilization Act of 2025 with my colleague Shomari Figures,” said Rep. Jack. “It is critical that we protect and enhance rural healthcare and its growth. Counties in my district lack adequate access to healthcare, and this legislation paves the way to ensuring Georgians across the Third District are able to receive the care they deserve.”

Figures said this legislation is a vital step in preserving health care access in rural America. By investing in rural hospitals, he said, the bill will help ensure that these critical institutions remain operational, preserve jobs, and improve health outcomes for millions of Americans. 

Figures said the goal of the bill was to:

• To prevent hospital closures by offering financial resources. 
• Ensure continued healthcare accessibility in rural areas. 
• Improve hospital infrastructure to maintain high-quality care. 
• Stabilize employment in rural healthcare systems by funding operational costs. 
• Strengthen the long-term viability of rural communities by keeping their hospital open.

But, Figures said it would still be a challenge to get the bill to the House floor. 

“Any bill has a tough road to make it to the floor,” Figures said. “But, this is a bipartisan bill, so there’s hope. We’re going to be aggressive and push this bill hard. Right now, this is the No. 1 priority for my office.”

Click here for bill text.  

Click here for the background.