Newhouse Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Expand Rural Health Care Access for Tribes, Military Families

Press Release
For Immediate Release: May 21, 2026
Contact: Juan Ayala, (202) 713-7750

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Rep. Dan Newhouse (WA-04), alongside Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02), released a statement upon introduction of the Ensuring Rural Health Care Access for Military and Tribal Families Act. This legislation would allow Astra Toppenish to be designated as a Critical Access Hospital.

"Americans deserve the best medical care, regardless of where they live. In rural areas access to quality, essential health care services remains a challenge," said Rep. Newhouse.

Newhouse continued, "Critical Access Hospital designation requirements are rigid, and flexibility is needed to ensure rural hospitals have the federal support and resources to bridge health care accessibility gaps. Specifically, this legislation would allow Astria Toppenish to be designated as a Critical Access Hospital, providing the facility long-term financial certainty to continue delivering care to military and tribal families in the Yakima Valley. I thank Rep. Larsen for joining me in this important effort that will improve health care services in rural areas across the country."

Rep. Larsen said, "As health care costs continue to rise, rural hospitals that provide care for local servicemembers, like Island Health in Anacortes, are struggling to maintain their current operations. This legislation will help more rural hospitals receive critical access hospital designation, creating a cost-saving lifeline that will preserve vital services and ensure quality medical care for servicemembers. I will keep fighting to protect rural hospitals and the communities they serve in Northwest Washington."

Cathy Bambrick, CEO, Astria Toppenish Hospital said, "Astria Health has spent years pursuing innovative solutions to strengthen healthcare access in the Lower Yakima Valley. This legislation represents an important step toward ensuring hospitals serving rural and underserved populations have the resources needed to remain viable for generations to come. Critical Access Hospital designation would improve reimbursement, strengthen local healthcare infrastructure, and help preserve essential services for the communities that rely on them every day. We sincerely thank Congressman Dan Newhouse for his tireless work developing this legislation and for his support of rural healthcare across Central Washington and the nation."

Island Health CEO Elise Cutter, MBA, said, "We would like to extend our sincere gratitude to Representatives Dan Newhouse and Rick Larsen for prioritizing this legislation to help ensure our local community and military families continue to have access to essential healthcare services, including labor and delivery care. "In 2025, Island Health delivered more than 400 babies, 40% of which were military families stationed at Naval Air Station Whidbey."

Full bill text can be found here(link is external).