GCHD will receive $1 million through Rural Health Care Grants Programs

POMEROY–Garfield County Hospital will receive a $1 million grant to replace an aging electrical system for a Critical Access Hospital (CAH). The award is made available through the American Rescue Plan Act, Emergency Rural Health Care Grants Programs, of $74 million designated to improve healthcare in vulnerable communities.

Garfield County Public Hospital District No. 1 will receive a $1 million grant to replace an aging electrical system for a Critical Access Hospital (CAH) to ensure it has the capacity to respond to COVID-19 and future pandemics by upgrading critical electrical infrastructure, including connecting the system to an emergency generator. This will support higher patient volumes in the emergency room and the ability to have improved laboratory services and advanced diagnostic capabilities. This CAH services all of Garfield County, which is the least populated county in Washington state.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Under Secretary Xochitl Torres Small awarded $74 million in grants to improve health care in rural towns across the Nation. These grants will help 143 rural health care organizations expand critical services for three million people in 37 states, Guam and Puerto Rico. The investments include $32 million for 67 rural health care organizations to help more than 1 million people living in socially vulnerable communities.

“The Emergency Rural Health Care Grants being announced today will build, renovate and equip health care provider facilities like hospitals and clinics in rural areas in 37 states,” said Torres Small. “Having sustainable and accessible health care infrastructure in rural areas is critical to the health and well-being of the millions of people living in small towns across the Nation.”

USDA Rural Development promotes a healthy community and environment through the Emergency Rural Health Care Grants to make sure people, kids and families have access to the health care they need. The grants support the ability of rural communities to provide health care to the people and places in our country that often lack access.

The investments will help rural hospitals and health care providers implement telehealth and nutrition assistance programs, increase staffing to administer COVID-19 vaccines and testing, build or renovate facilities, and purchase medical supplies. For example, in Washington State:

Other hospitals receiving awards from this program are: Grays Harbor County Public Hospital ($456,00); Okanogan County Public Hospital District No.4 ($1 million); and Port Angeles Food Bank ($918,500).