The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced a significant initiative aimed at expanding access to healthcare for over 110,000 rural Kansans. Director for Kansas Rural Development, Christy Davis emphasized USDA's dedication to ensuring that rural Americans have access to reliable and high-quality healthcare services. The announcement highlights the allocation of Emergency Rural Health Care Grants, totaling $129 million, to improve healthcare facilities in 38 other states and Puerto Rico.
Independence Community College is one of two sites in Kansas to receive funding. The college will receive a $30,100 grant to be used towards an on-campus health care center on the main campus. This center will collaborate with Labette Health to provide medical services to students, staff, and faculty both on-site and through telehealth services.
“Ensuring students have access to health care is vital to their academic success,” said College President Dr. Vincent Bowhay. “I thank our partners at Labette Health and the USDA for their continued support in this important endeavor.”
Background: The Emergency Rural Health Care Grants were made available through the American Rescue Plan Act, which was passed by Congress in March 2021 to offer immediate economic relief to those affected by the pandemic. Responding swiftly, USDA made this funding available to ensure the sustained availability of healthcare services in rural areas. The grants aim to support rural hospitals, health care clinics, tribes, and communities, offering immediate relief and expanding access to healthcare services and nutrition assistance.
The USDA's Rural Development's Community Facilities Program is responsible for administering these funds, which play a crucial role in improving the lives of rural Americans. Under the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA is taking significant steps to transform America's food system by prioritizing resilient local and regional food production, creating fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to safe and nutritious food in all communities, developing new markets and income streams for farmers and producers through climate-smart practices, investing in rural infrastructure and clean energy capabilities, and promoting equity across the Department by breaking down systemic barriers and building a more representative workforce.