March 16, 2026

Dear Representatives Miller, Tokuda, Smith, and Carter,

On behalf of the National Rural Health Association and the undersigned organizations we write to express our strong support for the Rural Residency Planning and Development Act of 2025 (H.R. 6468). We commend your leadership and dedication to improving healthcare access in rural communities across the United States.

Rural areas are essential to our nation’s health infrastructure but face persistent shortages of healthcare professionals. Since its inception in 2019, the Rural Residency Planning and Development (RRPD) pilot program has effectively begun to address these disparities by supporting the creation and sustainability of rural residency programs, which are crucial for training and retaining physicians where they are most needed. Funding from RRPD helps to cover start-up costs, accreditation, faculty development, and recruitment, and expand the number of trained physicians in rural settings. The authorization of a dedicated funding line for the RRPD program, as proposed in H.R. 6468, is a vital step towards strengthening our rural physician workforce. By ensuring the continuity and expansion of this program, H.R. 6468 will make a significant contribution to the long-term sustainability of rural healthcare access in our communities.

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