U.S. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue today announced that USDA provided more than $1 billion in Fiscal Year 2017 to help improve access to health care services in rural communities.
“USDA invests in a wide range of health care facilities – such as hospitals, clinics and treatment centers – to help ensure that rural residents have access to the same state-of-the art care available in urban and metropolitan areas,” Perdue said. “I understand that building a prosperous rural America begins with healthy people. Ensuring that rural communities have access to quality medical care is a top priority for USDA.”
USDA invested more than $1 billion in rural health care in Fiscal Year 2017 through the Community Facilities Direct Loan Program. The loans can be used to fund essential community services. For health care, this includes to construct, expand or improve health care facilities such as hospitals, medical clinics, dental clinics and assisted-living facilities, as well as to purchase equipment. Public bodies, non-profit organizations and federally recognized tribes in rural areas and towns with up to 20,000 people are eligible for these loans.
The following is an example of a rural health care project that USDA funded in South Dakota during FY 2017:
• Burke Community Memorial Hospital received a $5.5 million loan to construct an addition to the existing medical facility in Burke. The upgraded facility will house an expanded patient and exam addition, include renovated space for emergency services, and outpatient services. Patient services will include six exam rooms, large nurse station and support, reception, waiting area, and administrative offices, emergency department with two ED bays, consultation area, covered ambulance garage with decontamination area, and lab facilities will include X-ray area, CT scan area and lab room, along with a new pharmacy. This new facility will provide the space needed to operate more efficiently and maintains the delivery of cost effective, quality healthcare, as well as allows for future growth and expanded economic opportunity. The entrance will be welcoming to the entire community and the Emergency Room stands ready to serve local, regional, and visiting residents.
USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities and create jobs in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; homeownership; community services such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural areas. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov.