Advocacy Outreach
NOSORH invites its partners and the partners of all 50 State Offices of Rural Health to join our advocacy efforts.
NOSORH’s 2026 advocacy priorities are to:
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- Reauthorize the State Offices of Rural Health (SORH) Program
- Increase appropriations for the State Offices of Rural Health (SORH) Program to $15 million
- Reauthorize the Medicare Rural Hospital Flexibility (Flex) Program
- Establish statutory authority for the Rural Communities Opioid Response Program (RCORP)
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Fact Sheets
State Offices of Rural Health Program Reauthorization
Fact sheet coming soon!
State Offices of Rural Health Appropriations Request
In 2023, Congress reauthorized the State Office of Rural Health (SORH) program, and the bill was signed into law as Public Law No. 117-356, authorizing the program through fiscal year 2027. While this reauthorization ensures the program’s continuity, additional funding is needed to support the vital work of the State Offices of Rural Health. Through the annual appropriations process, we urge Congress to fund the SORH program at $15 million in FY 2026.
State Flex Program Reauthorization
In 2025, the Rural Hospital Flexibility Act (S. 3250/H.R.6804) was introduced to reauthorize and modernize the Medicare Rural Hospital Flexibility (Flex) Program. These strong bipartisan bills were authored by Sens. Barrasso, Hassan, Blackburn, Cortez Masto, and Reps. Miller and Sewell. The intent of the legislation is to modernize the Flex grant program, ensuring all 50 states have funding to support Critical Access Hospitals. We urge members to cosponsor and advance this critical legislation in the 119th Congress.
Establishing Statutory Authority for RCORP
In 2025, Representatives Carol Miller (R-WV), Buddy Carter (R-GA), Terri Sewell (D-AL), and Paul Tonko (D-NY) introduced the Rural Communities Opioid Response Program Authorization Act (H.R. 6407).
This strong bipartisan bill would formally authorize the Rural Communities Opioids Response Program (RCORP), providing stability for states while expanding access to prevention, treatment, and recovery services for opioid and other substance use disorders. Since 2018, RCORP has strengthened access to behavioral health services, earning consistent support from Congress, rural communities and healthcare providers. Without statutory authority, however, the program’s future remains uncertain.
Program Overviews
State Offices of Rural Health
State Offices of Rural Health (SORH) serve as vital federal-state partnerships that support and strengthen rural communities across the nation. They connect local, state, and national partners, provide technical assistance and resources, and help advance rural health workforce recruitment and retention. Through collaboration and innovation, SORH work to improve health and well-being in rural America.
Medicare Rural Hospital Flexibility (Flex) Program
The Flex Program is a federally funded program that helps Critical Access Hospitals and rural communities deliver quality, sustainable healthcare. Administered by HRSA’s Federal Office of Rural Health Policy and SORH in all 50 states, Flex supports training and technical assistance, financial and quality improvement efforts, and emergency medical services integration. Flex is an investment that saves rural lives, protects federal healthcare dollars, and keeps America’s rural communities strong.