The Office of Rural Health Policy has announced the nine providers that will receive the first of $4 million in federal funding over the next three years.
Each of them will receive an estimated $200,000 in 2016 starting August 1, in a program that runs through 2019, according to hrsa.gov.
Approximately $4,150,000 is expected to be available annually for up to 21 recipients. Applicants may apply for a ceiling amount of up to $200,000 per year.
The amount awarded to each of the nine recipients in 2016 is $200,000 unless otherwise noted. Recipients are: Providence Health & Services in Anchorage, Alaska; Mountain Health & Community Services in Camp, California; $190,235 to Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center in Mattoon, Illinois; Pines Health Services in Caribou, Maine; Northwest Michigan Health Services in Traverse City, Michigan; Upper Peninsula Health Care Solutions in Marquette, Michigan; $199,971 to Washington County Memorial Hospital in Potosi, Missouri; St. Luke's Hospital in Columbus, North Carolina; and Trinity Hospital Twin City in Dennison, Ohio.
Some of the same rural providers received funding in previous years.
For instance, the Alaska Care Management Consortium of three critical access hospitals and three federally-qualified health centers, including Providence Kodiak Island Medical Center, has gotten $597,454 in funding since 2013, including the most recent amount. The providers serve an estimated 80,000 residents along the Alaska Gulf Coast, a region of rugged mountainous terrain accessible only by boat or air.
The provider asked for the funds for technology upgrades and support services to fight chronic disease such as diabetes and heart disease.
Funding beyond the first year is dependent on the availability of appropriated funds for the Small Health Care Provider Quality Improvement Program in subsequent fiscal years, satisfactory performance, and a decision that continued funding is in the best interest of the federal government.
Eligible applicants must be a rural public or a rural nonprofit private health care provider or provider of healthcare services.
Eligible healthcare providers include, but are not limited to, entities such as black lung clinics, hospitals, public health agencies, home health providers, mental health centers and providers, substance abuse service providers, rural health clinics, primary care providers, oral health providers, social service agencies, health profession schools, local school districts, emergency services providers, community health centers/federally qualified health centers, tribal health programs, churches and civic organizations that are providing health related services.
Twitter: @SusanJMorse