UnityPoint Health — Trinity Regional Medical Center is one of the hospitals benefitting from a Medicare plan championed by U.S. Sen. Charles Grassley to help rural health care facilities.

It is called the Rural Community Hospital Demonstration.

Grassley, a Republican, said it “gives rural hospitals a better shot at keeping their doors open to provide care for the community.”

Grassley and U.S. Sen,. Michael Bennet, D-Colorado, have introduced a bill that would extend the program for another five years.

“The Community Demonstration program is essential to the sustainability of our rural hospital,” Leah Glasgo, market president of UnityPoint Health — Fort Dodge, said in a written statement.

“Rural providers are facing increasing pressure from all sides — payers, rising pharmaceutical costs and escalating supply expenses — while continuing to care for communities with limited resources and greater health needs,” she added. “This program delivers critical financial stability, enabling us to sustain essential services, invest in our workforce and ensure patients can access care close to home. Without this support, rural hospitals would face even greater challenges in maintaining timely, high quality care.”

The Rural Community Hospital Demonstration allows qualifying hospitals to try different payment methods under Medicare, the federal health insurance program for the elderly.

According to information provided by Grassley’s office, participating hospitals are mostly paid on a cost-based methodology instead of the inpatient prospective payment system.

Hospitals in Grinnell and Newton are also part of the program. There are 30 hospitals across the country in it.

Grassley led the effort to create the program in 2003.

The bill to extend the program awaits action by the Senate Finance Committee.