Rural Healthcare Revitalization Act of 2024

This bill allows states to waive certain requirements when designating a new critical access hospital (CAH) in a metro area where a small hospital (300 beds or fewer) has closed. It specifically permits states to bypass standard criteria for a "subsequent facility" if it has 10 beds or fewer, meets existing CAH operational requirements, and satisfies specific pharmacy program rules. The policy directly affects rural communities that lost their only hospital, enabling faster replacement with a small-scale facility meeting CAH standards. This change aims to maintain healthcare access in areas where hospital closures have created gaps, without altering broader CAH eligibility rules.