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Funding expected to help address healthcare issues in rural America

Access to healthcare in rural America continues to be a challenge and new funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is expected to increase providers in underserved areas.

Secretary Xavier Becerra says the $100 million in funding comes from the American Rescue Plan

“So those who are doing primary care service, especially in communities that are oftentimes left behind or hard to reach, we’re trying to make sure that we help our state partners get to those workers and providers to let them know we’re going to be there to support and train those workers and ensure they’re prepared for what comes next,” he says.

The funding will help support the Health Resources and Services Administration’s State Loan Repayment Program (SLRP), which helps improve health equity by ensuring that clinicians working in high-need communities remain in them.

Becerra says each interested state will have to apply.

“It’s available to every state and so a good grant application probably will give you some extra dollars to help out your healthcare workforce in your state,” he says.

The Health Resources and Services Administration estimates it will make up to 50 awards of up to $1 million per year, over the program’s four-year project period.

HRSA’s Bureau of Health Workforce is accepting applications for grants from all 50 states, Washington D.C., and U.S. territories.

Applications are due by April 8.

Click here for more information.

Audio: Xavier Becerra