The grants, which were made under the Rural Health Care Transition Grants Program, are administered by the Health Care Financing Administration, the HHS agency that oversees the Medicare program. These grants will help provide better and more accessible health care to the millions of Medicare beneficiaries who rely on rural facilities for their care.
Hospitals can use the grants to support various kinds of innovative capital projects.
That includes expanded outpatient and emergency services, and the conversion of inpatient facilities to alternative services. Funds are also available to train health- care professionals and to encourage physicians to practice in rural areas. The program was developed in consultation with the HHS Office of Rural Health Policy, the American Hospital Association and the National Association of Counties.