U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Deputy Secretary Xochitl Torres Small today announced that USDA is expanding access to health care for more than 5 million people living in 39 states and Puerto Rico as part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda.
USDA is awarding $129 million in Emergency Rural Health Care Grants to improve health care facilities in rural towns across the nation. These grants will help 172 rural health care organizations expand critical services.
“We are committed to ensuring our residents have access to high-quality and reliable health care services in New Jersey,” said Jane Asselta, USDA Rural Development State Director. “These grants help our rural hospitals afford the purchase of needed equipment to better provide care for hundreds of thousands of deserving patients.”
In New Jersey, a $1 million investment to Inspira Health Network will be used to purchase medical equipment for their affiliate, Salem Medical Center. The project includes an electrocardiogram machine, BiPAP machines, ventilators, and defibrillators. This equipment will help the medical center better meet the long-term health care needs of more than 500,000 community residents.
Today’s investments will help regional partnerships, public bodies and nonprofits solve rural health care challenges. These solutions will build a stronger, more sustainable rural health care system for the nation’s small towns and communities.
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, high-poverty areas.
For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov.