USDA grants to support four rural health projects in Indiana
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The U.S. Department of Agriculture has awarded $110 million grants to improve health care facilities in rural communities nationwide, including nearly $2 million going to projects in four Indiana counties. The Emergency Rural Health Care Grants Program funding is part of the American Rescue Plan Act.
The Indiana projects range from new ambulances to renovation and relocation of an intensive care unit.
“Access to modern and sustainable health care infrastructure is critical to the health, well-being and prosperity for the millions of people who live in rural and Tribal communities,” said Torres Small, USDA’s Under Secretary for Rural Development.
Indiana projects include:
Greene County General Hospital ($1 million)
The funding will be used to renovate and relocate Greene County General Hospital’s intensive care unit and co-locate it with the medical surgical department. This project will allow them to address the COVID-19 isolation and recovery and negative airflow issues by creating a dedicated isolation space.
Crawford County (approximately $409,000)
The county will use the money to purchase two fully equipped ambulances, as well as four ventilators.
Perry County Memorial Hospital (Approximately $263,000 for two projects)
Part of the funding will be used to expand access for telehealth capabilities to help track COVID outbreaks. The hospital also intends to use some of the money to renovate its clinic in Tell City by adding three exam rooms, renovated lab space, and a negative pressure room for patients with COVID-19 to separate them from other patients receiving routine care.
Pulaski County ($95,000)
The funding will be used to purchase an ambulance in partnership with Pulaski Memorial Hospital and local Emergency Medical Services.
USDA says the grant program is assisting 208 rural health care organizations in 43 states.