Gov. Bill Ritter today announced that the Colorado Rural Health Care Grant Council has awarded $1.2 million in its second round of grant funding to strengthen health care delivery in rural communities. The council awarded 27 grants ranging from $30,000 to $50,000 to physical, mental and oral health care providers in 19 counties (see attached list of grantees).
Grantees include Federally Qualified Health Centers, public health departments, public and private health clinics, and school-based health centers. The grants will support construction and remodeling projects, equipment and supplies, staff training, and health information technology.
The Colorado Rural Health Care Grant Program was established in August 2007 and is funded with a $7.5 million gift to the State of Colorado from UnitedHealthcare that will be distributed over six years.
"As we continue toward our goal of providing access to high quality, affordable health care to all Coloradans, it is critical that we support our rural communities," said Gov. Ritter. "I am pleased to announce this second round of grants, which will make an immediate and significant impact in improving access to and quality of care from Alamosa to Weld counties."
"UnitedHealthcare is committed to investing in a healthier Colorado and expanding quality health care services to rural communities throughout the state," said Beth Soberg CEO, UnitedHealthcare of Colorado. "By supporting the communities we serve through grants like this and other charitable giving, our company and its employees can help improve the health care delivery system for all Coloradoans, especially underserved populations."
The Colorado Rural Health Care Grant Council is co-chaired by Colorado's Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Ned Calonge, and UnitedHealthcare's Market Medical Director, Dr. Jacqueline Stiff, and includes health care consumers, rural health care providers, and representatives from the Governor's Office, Division of Insurance at the Department of Regulatory Agencies, Department of Health Care Policy and Financing, and Department of Local Affairs.
The Colorado Rural Health Center, Colorado's non-profit state office of rural health, administers the grant program. For more information on the program, please contact Elke Webb, ew@coruralhealth.orgor 303-832-7493.
