Bill > S953

This bill, the Rural Health Innovation Act of 2023, aims to improve healthcare access and services in rural areas. It does this through two key provisions: 1. The Rural Health Center Innovation Awards Program, which provides grants to Federally Qualified Health Centers and Rural Health Clinics in rural areas to establish or maintain facilities that serve as walk-in urgent care centers and triage centers for emergency transport. Grants can be used to expand hours, cover construction/renovation costs, and other activities to support these centers. 2. The Rural Health Department Enhancement Program, which provides grants to rural public health departments to enable them to provide emergency services, triage and transport to emergency departments, primary care, and other services similar to those offered by emergency departments. Grants can be used to obtain equipment and hire additional providers for these services. The bill authorizes $25 million per fiscal year from 2024 to 2028 for each of these two new grant programs, which are intended to increase access to healthcare and emergency services in rural communities.