Senator Pat Roberts has helped introduce a bipartisan rural healthcare bill. Roberts says the bill makes changes to Medicare regulations for rural hospitals and providers.

The legislation provides a Capital Infrastructure Loan Program to make loans available to help rural facilities improve crumbling buildings and infrastructure.

The bill extends to January 1, 2013 two incentive programs aimed at improving the quality of care by attracting health care providers to health professional shortage areas. It also increases the payment cap for Rural Health Clinics.