AHA urges inclusiveness and flexibility in HRSA’s rural definitions

The AHA today submitted comments in response to the Health Resources and Services Administration’s proposed changes to geographic eligibility for Federal Office of Rural Health Policy rural health grants.

In comments to the agency, AHA reiterated the need for accurate, comprehensive recognition of rural areas, given that FORHP’s rural definition may directly affect providers’ eligibility for many financial and programmatic opportunities, including numerous HRSA grants, some rural-focused demonstration models and certain targeted distributions of COVID-19 Provider Relief Funds.

“It is essential that the definition be as inclusive and flexible as possible in order to broaden opportunities for providers in rural communities,” AHA wrote, acknowledging the agency’s efforts to encompass more rural areas in its rural definition.