DAVIS, Calif., July 27, 2023 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development California State Director Maria Gallegos Herrera today announced a $2 million investment to expand access to health care in California’s rural and Tribal communities as part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda.
“The need for improved access to health care in rural California is only becoming more pronounced as our frontline communities struggle from the lack of adequate infrastructure, lasting impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, and severe environmental conditions brought on by climate change,” Gallegos Herrera said. “Through President Biden’s historic legislative package, the American Rescue Plan, USDA’s Rural Emergency Health Care Grants help ensure that rural and Tribal families have access to quality health care no matter their zip code. Rural Development California is proud to play a role in helping build healthier and more resilient communities.”
The Frontier Health Care District will use a $1 million grant to purchase state-of-the art medical equipment, which will improve rural health care services for people living in Alturas, Modoc County by expanding the district’s ability to respond to patient surges during pandemics.
The Tule River Indian Health Center Inc. will use a $1 million grant to purchase a modular building and an emergency generator to support rural health care services for people living on the Tule River Reservation. Funds will also support COVID-19 testing and vaccination services, expand storage capacity, power freezers and refrigerators, and protect medical equipment during emergencies.
Today’s investment is included in a national announcement totaling $129 million in similar grants invested in 39 states and Puerto Rico. These grants will help 172 rural health care organizations expand critical services and create solutions that will build a stronger, more sustainable rural health care system for the nation’s small towns and communities. A full listing of projects from the announcement can be found online.
This funding is made possible by President Biden’s historic legislative package, the American Rescue Plan Act. 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.
Background: Emergency Rural Health Care Grants
Congress passed the American Rescue Plan Act in March 2021 to deliver immediate economic relief to people impacted by the pandemic. Within months after the Act’s passage, USDA responded quickly by making this funding available to ensure the long-term availability of rural health care services.
In August 2021, USDA made the Emergency Rural Health Care Grants available through the American Rescue Plan Act to help rural health care facilities, tribes and communities expand access to health care services and nutrition assistance.
The assistance is helping provide immediate relief to support rural hospitals, health care clinics and local communities. USDA is administering the funds through Rural Development’s Community Facilities Program.
Under the Biden-Harris Administration, Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities, create jobs and improve the quality of life for millions of Americans in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural, tribal and high-poverty areas. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov. If you’d like to subscribe to USDA Rural Development updates, visit the GovDelivery subscriber page.
USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. Under the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA is transforming America’s food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to safe, healthy and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate-smart food and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity across the Department by removing systemic barriers and building a workforce more representative of America. To learn more, visit www.usda.gov.
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