WASHINGTON, D.C. – In a significant move to bolster rural health infrastructure, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced a substantial expansion of health care access for over 5 million individuals across 39 states and Puerto Rico. This initiative is a key component of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, aimed at strengthening communities nationwide.
Deputy Secretary of Agriculture, Xochitl Torres Small, highlighted the critical importance of this program, stating, “During one of the most critical times in our nation’s history, the Biden-Harris Administration responded to deliver immediate economic relief and ensure rural people have access to quality health care. USDA’s Emergency Rural Health Care Grants are helping strengthen rural America’s health care infrastructure to build for the future.”
The USDA is allocating $129 million through Emergency Rural Health Care Grants to enhance healthcare facilities in rural areas throughout the country. These grants are specifically designed to support 172 rural health care organizations in expanding their essential services and addressing the unique healthcare challenges faced by rural communities.
These strategic investments are channeled towards regional partnerships, public entities, non-profit organizations, and Tribal entities, empowering them to develop and implement innovative solutions for regional rural health care obstacles. The overarching goal is to establish a more robust and sustainable rural health care system that serves the long-term needs of America’s smaller towns and communities.
Regional Impacts of the Emergency Rural Health Care Grant Program
Across the Midwest, for instance, Southern Illinois Hospital Services is collaborating with local health organizations to establish a new in-patient psychiatric unit. This project directly addresses a critical regional need for expanded mental health care services, ensuring that residents of Southern Illinois have improved access to these vital resources.
In the Western states, the emergency rural health care grant program is facilitating access to cutting-edge medical technology. Gunnison County in Colorado is utilizing grant funds to procure essential medical equipment for a new facility that will cater to over 5,000 residents. Similarly, the Tule River Indian Health Center Inc. in California is investing in a generator, freezers, and refrigerators to safeguard medical supplies and equipment during emergencies. This ensures uninterrupted health care services for the Tule River Reservation community, even during challenging times.
Residents in the Northeast are set to benefit through improved access to healthy food options, a crucial element of overall health and well-being. The Milton Community Food Pantry Inc. in Delaware is acquiring a storage and distribution facility to provide fresh produce to families, senior citizens, veterans, and individuals with disabilities. In Massachusetts, Community Action Pioneer Valley Inc. is enhancing its food pantry capabilities with new equipment to deliver free food and nutritious meals to senior citizens and people with disabilities.
The Southern region will see advancements in medical facilities, with Pancare of Florida Inc. leading the way by constructing a primary care clinic as part of a regional health care center. This clinic aims to bridge the gap in access to quality health care services for those living in rural and underserved communities in Northwest Florida.
Strategic Investment in Virginia and Appalachia
Deputy Secretary Torres Small made the grant program announcement at the University of Virginia, underscoring the USDA’s commitment to supporting local initiatives. The University of Virginia’s Virginia Consortium to Advance Healthcare in Appalachia, a non-profit organization, is a recipient of an emergency rural health care grant. These funds will be instrumental in expanding health care access and telemedicine services in Wise County, Virginia. Furthermore, the Consortium will utilize the grant to strengthen regional networks for resource sharing, training, education, and communication. A key objective is to develop a comprehensive strategy to address pandemic-related emergency chronic illnesses and ensure the long-term viability of rural health care in the region.
The emergency rural health care grant program extends its reach across a wide array of states, including Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming, and Puerto Rico.
Funding Source and Program Background
This vital funding is enabled by President Biden’s American Rescue Plan Act, a landmark legislative package enacted in March 2021 to provide immediate economic relief during the pandemic. The Emergency Rural Health Care Grants, established under this act, exemplify the government’s swift response to safeguard access to essential health care services in rural America.
Launched in August 2021, the Emergency Rural Health Care Grants program, administered by USDA Rural Development’s Community Facilities Program, provides crucial support to rural hospitals, health care clinics, and communities. The program’s focus is on expanding access to health care services and nutrition assistance in underserved rural areas.
USDA Rural Development continues to offer loans and grants to foster economic growth, generate employment opportunities, and enhance the quality of life for millions in rural America. These investments are directed towards critical infrastructure improvements, business development, housing initiatives, community facilities (including schools, public safety, and health care), and expanded access to high-speed internet in rural, tribal, and high-poverty regions. For more detailed information about USDA Rural Development and its programs, please visit www.rd.usda.gov. Interested parties can also subscribe to USDA Rural Development updates through the GovDelivery subscriber page.
As a whole, the USDA’s multifaceted work touches the lives of all Americans daily. Under the Biden-Harris Administration, the USDA is dedicated to transforming the American food system, emphasizing resilient local and regional food production, equitable markets, access to safe and nutritious food, new income streams for producers utilizing climate-smart practices, historic investments in rural infrastructure and clean energy, and a commitment to equity across all its operations. To discover more about USDA’s broader mission and initiatives, please visit www.usda.gov.
USDA is committed to equal opportunity in its provision of services, employment, and lending practices.
