Title: Rural Health Policy Introduction - Rural Health Information Hub
Headings: Rural Health Policy
Rural Health Policy
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of issues does rural health policy address?
What role does the federal government play in the rural health policy process?
What is the role of the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy (FORHP)?
Which federal agencies participate in the rural health policy process?
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Agencies
Other Executive Branch Departments and Offices
Independent Congressional Agencies
How does the rural health policymaking process work?
How do researchers support rural health policy?
What role do membership organizations play in advocating for rural health issues?
What resources are available to stay current on evolving rural health policy?
Resources on Federal Policy
How can I influence rural health policy?
More on this Topic

Content: The U.S. House of  Representatives and the U.S. Senate. Elected representatives within each chamber carry out the formal legislative process at the  federal level. All federal legislative powers are granted solely to Congress. Congress also holds the  “power of the purse,” controlling federal government spending through the appropriations process. At least 11  committees between the House and Senate have some influence over various aspects of rural health policy. The  informally organized, bipartisan Senate Rural Health Caucus  and House Rural Health Care Coalition help focus legislative attention and provide a forum for  addressing rural healthcare issues. Several agencies within the Legislative Branch, such as the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) and Library  of Congress (LOC), provide support and information services to members of Congress. Judicial  Branch
Composed of the Supreme Court of the United States and other federal courts, the Judicial Branch interprets  the meaning of laws, applies laws to specific cases, and determines the constitutionality of  legislation and regulations. Decisions issued by federal courts sometimes affect health policy and rural  healthcare in substantial ways. What is the role of the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy (FORHP)?