U.S. Dept. of Agriculture Rural Development State Director for Michigan Brandon Fewins today announced that USDA is expanding access to health care for three Michigan communities.
“The scope of these projects demonstrates the ability of USDA Rural Development to work with diverse communities and their specific needs,” said Fewins. “These investments will rebuild and strengthen public healthcare capacity for future emergencies.”
The City of Owosso, in Shiawassee County, will use two grants totaling $152,500 to purchase an ambulance and three heart monitors/defibrillators. The ambulance will replace an existing vehicle worn out by heavy use during the COVID-19 global pandemic. Replacement of these equipment pieces will support the city’s effort to prepare for future pandemics or medical surge events.
Covered Bridge Healthcare of St. Joseph County Inc. will use a $1 million grant to purchase equipment that will improve telehealth services among other future pandemic and medical surge preparation projects.
Harbor Beach Community Hospital, in Huron County, will use a $1 million grant to purchase a standard X-ray machine, a portable X-ray machine to limit movement of highly infectious patients throughout the facility, and a nuclear medicine machine. The hospital will also upgrade heating, ventilation, and air conditioning components, and food storage equipment to increase surge capacity for future public health events.
USDA is awarding $129 million in Emergency Rural Health Care Grants to improve health care facilities in rural towns across the nation. These grants will help 172 rural health care organizations expand critical services.
USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. Under the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA is transforming America’s food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to safe, healthy and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate-smart food and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity across the Department by removing systemic barriers and building a workforce more representative of America. To learn more, visit www.usda.gov.