Investments include $32 million to help more than 1 million people in socially vulnerable communities
WASHINGTON, August 11, 2022 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Under Secretary for Rural Development Xochitl Torres Small today announced that USDA will award $74 million in grants to improve health care facilities (PDF, 321 KB) in rural towns across the country. These grants will help 143 rural health care organizations expand critical services for 3 million people in 37 states, Guam and Puerto Rico. Investments include $32 million for 67 rural health care organizations to help more than 1 million people living in socially vulnerable communities.
“Under the leadership of President Biden, Vice President Harris and Agriculture Secretary Vilsack, USDA is committed to ensuring that people, no matter where they live, have access to high-quality, reliable health care services, including urgent care. , primary care and dental care,” said Torres Small. “The Rural Emergency Health Care Grants announced today will build, renovate and equip facilities for health care providers such as hospitals and clinics in rural areas in 37 states. Having a sustainable and accessible health care infrastructure in rural areas is critical to the health and well-being of the millions of people who live in small towns across the country.”
The Biden-Harris Administration made these funds available in the Rural Emergency Health Care Grant Programs through its landmark legislative package, the American Rescue Plan Act. The Act and this program are examples of the government’s ability to respond quickly to ensure that all individuals and families have access to high-quality health care regardless of their zip code.
USDA Rural Development promotes a healthy community and environment through Rural Emergency Health Care Grants to ensure individuals, children, and families have access to the health care they need. The grants support the ability of rural communities to provide health care to the people and places in our country that often lack access.
The investments will help rural hospitals and health care providers implement telehealth and nutrition assistance programs, increase staffing to administer COVID-19 vaccinations and tests, build or renovate facilities, and purchase medical supplies. They will also help regional associations, public agencies, nonprofits and tribes solve regional rural health care problems and build a stronger and more sustainable rural health care system in response to the pandemic. For example:
The investments announced today will expand health care services in Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Georgia, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Maine, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Nevada, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Guam, and Puerto Rico.
USDA will announce additional Rural Emergency Health Care grant recipients in the coming weeks and months.
Background: Rural Emergency Health Care Subsidies
Congress passed the American Rescue Plan Act in March 2021 to provide immediate economic relief to people affected by the pandemic. Within months of the Act’s passage, USDA responded quickly by making these funds available to ensure the long-term availability of rural health care services.
In August 2021, USDA made Rural Emergency Health Care Grants available through the American Rescue Plan Act to help rural health care facilities, tribes, and communities expand access to services. medical care and nutritional assistance.
The assistance is helping provide immediate relief to support rural hospitals, health care clinics and local communities. USDA is administering the funds through the Rural Development Community Facilities Program.
Under the Biden-Harris Administration, Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunity, create jobs, and improve the quality of life for millions of Americans in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; accommodation; community facilities such as schools, public safety, and health care; and high-speed Internet access in rural, tribal, and high-poverty areas. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov. If you would like to subscribe to USDA Rural Development updates, visit the GovDelivery subscriber page.
USDA touches the lives of all Americans every day in many positive ways. Under the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA is transforming America’s food system with an increased focus on more resilient local and regional food production, fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to safe, healthy and nutritious food. in all communities, building new markets and flows. income for farmers and growers using climate-smart food and forestry practices, making historic investments in clean energy infrastructure and capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity across the Department by removing systemic barriers and creating a more representative US workforce. For more information, visit www.usda.gov.
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.
