USDA invests $336K to help improve health care in rural Minnesota

(ABC 6 News) – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced on Monday that nearly $336,000 in grants will help to improve two senior living facilities and expand critical care in rural Minnesota for elderly residents.

The investments will help rural hospitals and health care providers implement telehealth and nutrition assistance programs, increase staffing to administer COVID-19 vaccines and testing, build or renovate facilities, and purchase medical supplies.

They also will help regional partnerships, public bodies, nonprofits and Tribes solve regional rural health care problems and build a stronger, more sustainable rural health care system in response to the pandemic. For example:

• Heartland Senior Living (DBA Parkview Care Center) in Wells, MN will use a $92,500 grant to recover lost revenue caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The recovery of lost funds will allow the senior living facility to continue with critical services in rural Minnesota.
• Kenyon Sunset Home in Kenyon, MN will use a $243,100 grant to recover lost revenue caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The recovery of lost funds will allow the senior living facility to ensure available critical services in rural Minnesota.

“Having affordable, accessible health care infrastructure in rural areas is critical to the health and well-being of more than one million people living in small towns across Minnesota," said Colleen Landkamer, USDA Rural Development State Director for Minnesota. “We’re thrilled to be helping these facilities ensure that they continue to address the needs of our elderly populations in the wake of the COVID – 19 pandemic.”

In August 2021, USDA made the Emergency Rural Health Care Grants available through the American Rescue Plan Act (Congress passed in March 2021) to help rural health care facilities, tribes and communities expand access to health care services and nutrition assistance.