HHS is providing nearly $75 million funding for rural healthcare programs to help hospitals stay open, expand access to maternal healthcare and treat substance use disorder.
"The Biden-Harris Administration believes healthcare should be available to everyone regardless of where they live," said Xavier Becerra, HHS secretary, in a Sept. 24 news release. "That's why we are investing heavily in rural communities, which have historically lacked resources and access to health services."
Three notes:
1. Nearly $12 million is headed to rural hospitals in the next three years for technical assistance to expand healthcare services and improve financial stability for struggling hospitals. Several rural hospitals have closed over the last few years and 703 more are at risk of closure.
The federal government hopes the funding will keep some of those hospitals open and care close to home for the surrounding communities. One $3.9 million grant has been awarded this year to Rural Health Resource Center in Duluth, Minn.
2. Nearly $9 million was directed to five hospitals in the Delta region of the South focused on expanding access to maternal health services for better care before, during and after pregnancy. Hospitals have been closing obstetrics and maternal services due to lack of resources and demand and the extra funding aims to help women in need of vital services.
3. Nearly $54 million is earmarked for 18 organizations to expand substance use disorder treatment, recovery and social support. The funding will be distributed over four years so the organizations can create new or expand treatment and recovery services as well as support the behavioral health workforce in rural communities.