The Rural Health Redesign Center (RHRC) announced today that, after successfully completing its first two years of operation, it has launched four projects in partnership with the federal Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) and other public agencies. These projects underscore how rapidly the RHRC is achieving its mission to protect and promote access to high-quality healthcare in rural communities by encouraging innovation in healthcare delivery — and realizing its vision of transforming rural healthcare across the nation.
The RHRC was originally formed to support the Pennsylvania Rural Health Model (PARHM) project, which now impacts 1.3 million state residents through a participant base of 18 hospitals and six payers. Over the past two years, the RHRC has dramatically increased its impact and extended its reach.
“Our vision is to transform rural America by identifying and implementing sustainable healthcare solutions that will stabilize communities without compromising their culture and values,” said Janice Walters, RHRC Chief Operating Officer of Programs. “Our success has led to significant growth, and we look forward to meeting the challenges ahead in collaboration with our funding partners and healthcare providers.”
Building on the success of the PARHM, the RHRC launched the following new projects.
The Peer Recovery Expansion Project (PREP) is a federally funded grant program to enhance access to substance use disorder and mental health treatments in the communities of seven hospitals currently in the PARHM program.
Award Type: Grant
Date Funded: 7/20/2022
Project Period: 4 years, 9/1/2022-8/31/2026
Amount: $500,000/year ($2 million Total)
Funder: Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
The Emergency Medicine & Community Health Industry Integration Partnership (EMCHIIP) is a state-funded program to strengthen the Emergency Medical Services and community health workforces in PARHM hospital communities pursuing mobile integrated healthcare solutions.
Award Type: Grant
Date Funded: 12/21/2022
Amount: $250,000
Project Period: 12/8/2022 - 6/30/2024
Funder: Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry, Pennsylvania Workforce Development Board, Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development
The Rural Emergency Hospital Technical Assistance Center (REH-TAC) is a federally funded program in which the RHRC serves as a national resource to support critical-access hospitals and small Prospective Payment Systems (PPS) hospitals interested in assessing the feasibility of the Rural Emergency Hospital designation made available through the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services, which is part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
Award Type: Cooperative Agreement
Date Funded: 8/29/2022
Project Period: 5 years, 9/30/2022 - 8/31/2027
Amount: $2,500,000/year ($12.5 million total)
Funder: Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
The Rural Northern Border Regional Health Support Technical Assistance Center (NBR-TAC) is a federally funded program in which the RHRC serves as a multi-state technical assistance center, supporting healthcare providers and communities in the rural Northern Border Region that includes Maine, New Hampshire, New York and Vermont.
Award Type: Cooperative Agreement
Date Funded: 8/25/2022
Project Period: 3 years, 9/30/2022-9/29/2025
Amount: $1,990,000/year ($5.97 million total)
Funder: Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
“We are excited about these projects and the new opportunities they present,” said RHRC Executive Director Gary Zegiestowsky. “We believe that our organization can truly make a difference in transforming rural America and rural healthcare.”
For more information, read the RHRC Annual Report here.
