House Bill 843, also known as the "Restoring Rural Hospital Access for Perry and Decatur Counties Act," aims to designate Perry County Community Hospital and Decatur County General Hospital as critical access hospitals. The bill recognizes the essential role these hospitals play in providing healthcare services to vulnerable populations in their respective regions, particularly in Linden and Parsons. It highlights their historical significance as necessary providers of healthcare services, including during years prior to January 1, 2006, and emphasizes the importance of their operational stability for enhancing healthcare services in rural Tennessee.

To facilitate this designation, the bill mandates the Department of Health and the Health Facilities Commission to take necessary steps to ensure that both hospitals qualify for federal designation as critical access hospitals under the Social Security Act. This includes coordinating with relevant federal agencies to comply with federal requirements and expedite the designation process. The bill also includes a severability clause, ensuring that if any provision is found invalid, the remaining provisions will still be effective. The act will take effect upon becoming law.