The focus will be on ensuring rural communities have access to primary care, emergency services and specialty care.
September 26, 2024 – Jeff Lagasse, Editor –
In a move designed to strengthen healthcare access and infrastructure in underserved areas, the Department of Health and Human Services has announced a $75 million investment in rural healthcare.
This initiative aims to expand healthcare services and improve the quality of care for Americans living in rural communities.
The funding, distributed through the Health Resources and Services Administration, will support the construction and renovation of rural healthcare facilities, with a particular focus on ensuring those communities have access to primary care, emergency services and specialty care.
The announcement comes as part of a broader federal effort to address healthcare disparities that have long affected rural areas, where residents often face limited access to medical care due to geographical and financial barriers.
WHAT’S THE IMPACT
The $75 million will be distributed across several programs, including the HRSA’s Federal Office of Rural Health Policy and the Small Rural Hospital Improvement Program (SHIP). These funds will be used for infrastructure improvements, such as updating aging facilities, expanding telehealth services, and integrating new technologies to enhance care delivery.