MHA-member small and rural hospitals are eligible for new funding made available through the American Rescue Plan. The Emergency Rural Health Care program is designed to help broaden access to COVID-19 testing and vaccines, rural healthcare services and food assistance through food banks and food distribution facilities. Rural healthcare is challenged by immediate financial needs stemming from COVID-19 related expenses, and long-term access to — and availability of — rural healthcare services have been further hampered by the pandemic. In response to these challenges, this program offers two tracks of funding to eligible applicants.
- Track One: Recovery Grants provide immediate relief to address the economic conditions arising from the COVID-19 emergency.
- Track Two: Impact Grants advance ideas and solutions to solve regional rural healthcare problems to support the long-term sustainability of rural health.
Eligible applicants include public bodies, community-based nonprofits and federally recognized tribes. Facilities and projects supported through this grant must be in rural areas with populations of 20,000 or fewer and must primarily serve rural areas.
To learn more about this opportunity, members can attend an informational webinar from 2 to 3 p.m. Aug. 25 or visit the Emergency Rural Health Care Grants webpage.
This funding opportunity will be discussed at the next meeting of the MHA Small or Rural Hospital Council. Questions may be directed to Lauren LaPine at the MHA.