MEME Act

House Bill

H.R. 1712

119th Congress

MEME Act

In Committee

Introduced:Sep 16, 2025

Primary Sponsor

David Kustoff

Representative

Republican

TN-8

Cosponsors

2

Quick Stats

Policy Area

Health

Summary

The Rural Health Innovation Act of 2023 would establish two grant programs to improve access to emergency care in rural areas. It would provide funding for rural health clinics and local health departments to offer urgent care, triage, and other emergency services to residents of rural communities.

Latest Action

Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

SponsorDavid Kustoff (R-TN)

Introduced9/16/2025

StatusReferred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committees on t

ChamberHouse

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Vote Prediction

MEME Act

The Rural Health Innovation Act of 2023 would establish two grant programs to improve access to emergency care in rural areas. It would provide funding for rural health clinics and local health departments to offer urgent care, triage, and other emergency serv

Community Breakdown

Pass

0%

Fail

0%

0 predictions

The Rural Health Innovation Act of 2023 would establish two grant programs to improve access to emergency care in rural areas. It would provide funding for rural health clinics and local health departments to offer urgent care, triage, and other emergency services to residents of rural communities.

Bill Number: 1712
Sponsor: David Kustoff (R-TN)
Introduced: 9/16/2025
Status: Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committees on t
Policy Area: Health

Data from Congress.gov

AI-generated summary

Fact Sheet

Title: MEME Act
Bill Number: 1712
Sponsor: David Kustoff (R-TN)
Status: Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committees on t
Introduced: 9/16/2025
Summary: The Rural Health Innovation Act of 2023 would establish two grant programs to improve access to emergency care in rural areas. It would provide funding for rural health clinics and local health departments to offer urgent care, triage, and other emergency services to residents of rural communities.

Data from Congress.gov

AI Summary

Plain-English explanation of this bill

The Rural Health Innovation Act of 2023 would establish two grant programs to improve access to emergency care in rural areas. It would provide funding for rural health clinics and local health departments to offer urgent care, triage, and other emergency services to residents of rural communities.

Last updated: 12/29/2025

Official Summary

Congressional Research Service summary

Rural Health Innovation Act of 2023 This bill establishes two grant programs to increase access to emergency care in rural areas. The Federal Office of Rural Health Policy within the Health Resources and Services Administration must manage these programs. First, the office must provide grants to federally qualified health centers and rural health clinics to enhance the provision of walk-in urgent care, triage, and other emergency services in rural areas. Second, the office must provide grants to health departments in rural areas for emergency services (including triage and transport to emergency departments), primary care services, and similar services provided by emergency departments. Recipients of these grants may use funds for staffing, equipment, and other necessary expenses to provide emergency services.

Key Points

Main provisions of the bill

Establishes grants for rural health clinics to enhance their provision of urgent care, triage, and other emergency services
Provides grants to local health departments in rural areas to support emergency services, primary care, and other services typically found in emergency departments
Funding can be used for staffing, equipment, and other expenses needed to provide these critical emergency care services

How This Impacts Americans

Potential effects on citizens and communities

If passed, this bill would directly benefit residents of rural communities by improving their access to emergency medical care. It would help ensure that people living in sparsely populated areas have timely access to urgent and emergency treatment, which can be lifesaving. The grants would support rural health providers in offering a wider range of essential services closer to where people live.

Policy Areas

Primary Policy Area

Health

Related Subjects

Congressional oversight

Health care coverage and access

Health programs administration and funding

Rural conditions and development

Scope & Jurisdiction

Jurisdiction Level

federal

Congressional Session

119th Congress

Citation Reference

1712, 119th Congress (2025). "MEME Act". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/118-hr-1712

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