HHS Awards $28.9M in Grants To Improve Community-Based Health Care in Rural Areas
HHS Secretary Tommy Thompson on March 20 announced $28.9 million in grants to improve community-based health care systems in rural areas. Administered by the Health Resources and Services Administration, Rural Health Outreach grants totaling $23.1 million will go toward increasing access to primary health care services, including medical and dental care, mental health treatment, health promotion, health education and hospice care. The funding will be used to create new partnerships between health organizations and schools, churches, emergency medical services providers and private physicians. HRSA also will provide $5.8 million in Rural Health Network Development grants to public and not-for-profit organizations to improve the delivery of health care in rural areas. The grants will be awarded to 32 organizations to help integrate clinical, information, administrative and financial systems. The grants also will pay for additional staff and technical assistance. Thompson said, "These programs not only help rural providers work better together, they pay for services that otherwise would not be available. This year's grants will bring additional emergency medical services, dental care, prenatal care and mental health services to rural areas that badly need them" (HHS release, 3/20).
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