More than five million people living in rural communities in 39 states and Puerto Rico are receiving better access to quality healthcare, thanks to a sizeable federal grant. The funding is part of President Joe Biden's Investing in America agenda, according to a July 25 news release.
“During one of the most critical times in our nation’s history, the Biden-Harris administration responded to deliver immediate economic relief and ensure rural people have access to quality health care,” Deputy Secretary Xochitl Torres Small said in the release. “USDA’s Emergency Rural Health Care Grants are helping strengthen rural America’s health care infrastructure to build for the future.”
The $129 million in Emergency Rural Health Care Grants will help 172 rural health-care organizations increase critical services. The "investments will help regional partnerships, public bodies, nonprofits and Tribes solve regional rural health care challenges," the release reported.
The grants will expand health-care services in Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming and Puerto Rico, according to the release.
"This funding is made possible by President Biden’s historic legislative package, the American Rescue Plan Act," the release said. "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."
The investments will help residents in rural communities have better access to everything from fresh, healthy foods to state-of-the-art medical equipment and facilities, to expanding access to mental health services, according to the release.
"These solutions will build a stronger, more sustainable rural health care system for the nation’s small towns and communities," the release said.
