On October 12, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Under Secretary for Rural Development Xochitl Torres Small announced that the agency is awarding $110 million in grants for rural communities across the country to improve health care facilities. The funding, provided through USDA’s Emergency Rural Health Care Grants Program, will help over 200 rural health organizations to expand critical health services for almost 5 million people across 43 states and Guam. USDA Emergency Health Care Grants are administered through USDA Rural Development’s Community Facilities Program, which assists rural counties looking to improve their health care infrastructure. Funding for the Emergency Rural Health Care Grants Program was authorized under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).  

These grants can be used for projects such as building or renovating health care facilities, implementing telehealth, and nutrition assistance programs, and purchasing medical supplies. Counties can also use funds to increase staffing to administer COVID-19 vaccines and testing to help build a stronger, more sustainable rural healthcare system in response to the pandemic. The $110 million in grants include $9 million for 12 rural healthcare organizations to help 187,000 people in areas with high concentrations of coal-dependent jobs, as the nation transitions to a clean-energy economy.  

NACo recognizes the vital role that healthcare plays in rural America. The healthcare industry is an economic development engine and access to affordable healthcare is essential to spur new businesses. NACo supports strengthening the healthcare delivery system in rural America, including ambulatory services. The Biden-Harris administration’s steps to address regional healthcare problems are critical to ensuring rural counties have access to high-quality healthcare.   

For more information, please visit www.usda.gov.