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Source: UDSDA, 8/11/22 U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Under Secretary Xochitl Torres Small today announced that USDA is awarding $74 million in grants to improve health care facilities (PDF,
321 KB) in rural towns across the Nation. These grants will help 143 rural
health care organizations expand critical services for 3 million people in 37 states,
Guam and Puerto Rico. The 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 making sure that people, no matter where they live, have access to high-quality and reliable health care services like urgent care, primary care, and dental care,” Torres Small said. “The Emergency Rural Health Care Grants being announced today will build, renovate and equip health care provider facilities like hospitals and clinics in rural areas in 37 states. Having sustainable and accessible health care infrastructure in rural areas is critical to the health and well-being of the millions of people living in small towns across the Nation.” The Biden-Harris
Administration made these funds available in the Emergency Rural Health Care Grants Programs through its historic legislative package, the American Rescue Plan Act. The Act and this program are examples of the government’s ability to respond quickly to ensure every person and family has access to high-quality health care no matter their zip code. USDA Rural Development
promotes a healthy community and environment through the Emergency Rural Health
Care Grants to make sure people, kids 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 vaccines and
testing, build or renovate facilities, and purchase medical supplies. They also
will help regional partnerships, public bodies, nonprofits and Tribes solve
regional rural health care problems and build a stronger, more sustainable
rural health care system in response to the pandemic. For more of this story, click here.
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