The Senate Finance Committee is holding a hearing on President Trump’s 2026 health care agenda.
HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. responded to a question from Committee Chairman Mike Crapo about rural hospital funding, which is what some lawmakers are calling a key feature in the “Big, Beautiful Bill.”
“We’ve had 120 rural hospitals closed over the past ten years. These institutions are not just delivering health access to rural Americans, but they’re economic centers that are cultural centers for those communities are often the largest employer. They are the highest-paying jobs. and they are the centerpiece of those communities. So when they die, the communities collapse.”
Kennedy said the legislation includes a historic $50 billion investment in rural health over the next five years, which he says is a 50 percent increase in federal support to help stem the crisis facing rural hospitals. While some critics have blamed the bill for recent struggles in the sector, Chairman Crapo pushed back, saying those issues predate the legislation.
Understanding how these tax provisions interact will be key for farmers planning long-term equipment purchases or transfers within the family.
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Soybean farmer and Arkansas Lt. Gov. Leslie Rutledge highlights why the U.S. trade standoff with China is especially critical for Arkansas producers.
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National Farmers Union (NFU) President Rob Larew discusses the urgent need for aid as farm families face mounting input costs and long-term market uncertainty.
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