HHS provides $225 million for rural communities’ COVID-19 testing

The Health Resources and Services Administration, part of the Department of Health and Human Services, today provided $225 million to rural health clinics for COVID-19 testing. The funding will support the expansion of testing by more than 4,500 RHCs in underserved rural areas nationwide.

HRSA said that the funds may be used for a wide range of COVID-19 testing and related expenses, including planning for implementation of a COVID-19 testing program; procuring supplies to provide testing; training providers and staff on COVID-19 testing procedures; reporting data to HHS on COVID-19 testing activities; and building temporary structures, leasing properties and retrofitting facilities to support COVID-19 response efforts.

In addition, HRSA said it will award $500,000 to support RHCs’ COVID-19 technical assistance efforts, which include conducting webinars, and providing resources and guidance for implementation and management of testing programs. Read more here.