North Idaho Rural Health Consortium Receives HRSA Grant to Expand, Improve Programs

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Health Resources and Services Administration has awarded the North Idaho Rural Health Consortium what amounts to $1.3 million in grants and matching funds, the Spokane Spokesman-Review reports. The funds target five areas of health care services for the uninsured and underinsured in North Idaho:

Modeling outreach efforts aimed at increasing CHIP enrollment in "all North Idaho counties" after an existing program in Coeur d'Alene.
Creating two additional low-income health care clinics in Bonner and Boundary counties, which will include dental care services. The grant will also provide existing North Idaho clinics with dental care services.
Developing "community health teams," consisting of social service agencies and community members, in all North Idaho counties, to discuss ways to improve services.
Improving providers' technology, including networks and Internet databases, to share client information "more quickly and efficiently."
Expanding an interactive video network, increasing "face to face" communication between patients and remote providers.

The Spokesman-Review reports that area health care providers "hope [the grant] will provide enough momentum to sustain many of the services it creates," as the consortium has a November 2002 deadline for spending the entire grant allotment. Consortium members worry that future grants may not be large enough to maintain the programs. But Camille Scott, administrator for Benewah Community Hospital, said that once the programs are "up and going," community support "will keep them alive," adding, "This money will have far-reaching effects" (Ross, Spokane Spokesman-Review, 10/17). For further information on state health policy in Idaho, visit State Health Facts Online. This is part of the Morning Briefing, a summary of health policy coverage from major news organizations. Sign up for an email subscription.

North Idaho Rural Health Consortium Receives HRSA Grant to Expand, Improve Programs

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