Norton Introduces Equal Treatment of the District of Columbia Under the Rural Health Transformation Program Act of 2025

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today introduced a bill which would make D.C. eligible for funding under the $50 billion Rural Health Transformation Program (Program) established by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Senate Republicans, who created the program, made only the 50 states eligible, likely depriving the District of hundreds of millions of dollars in funding. Although the Program’s title references rural health, the law permits use of funding from the Program for health care services, providers and technology outside of rural areas.

“D.C. deserves to receive the same benefits from federal government programs as the states receive. Not only do D.C. residents pay federal taxes, they pay more federal taxes per capita than any state.” Norton said. “D.C. is treated as a state for most federal programs, and there is no nonpartisan argument to treat D.C. differently for the purposes of this Program.”

Norton’s introductory statement follows. 

Statement of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton

On the Introduction of the Equal Treatment of the District of Columbia Under the Rural Health Transformation Program Act of 2025

August 19, 2025

Today, I introduce the Equal Treatment of the District of Columbia Under the Rural Health Transformation Program Act of 2025, which would make the District of Columbia eligible for funding under the Rural Health Transformation Program (Program). The $50 billion Program was established by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1).  While the Program’s title refers to rural health, H.R. 1 permits the Program’s funds to be used for health care services, providers and technology outside rural areas.

Senate Republicans, who created the Program, made only the 50 states eligible for funding, likely depriving D.C. of hundreds of millions of dollars.  D.C. is treated as a state for most federal programs because D.C. residents pay the same federal taxes as residents of states, and there is no reason D.C. should not be eligible for the Program’s funds.

I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

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