HHS Provides $398 Million to Small Rural Hospitals for COVID-19 Testing and Mitigation

On July 13, 2021, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced that it was providing $398 million in funding through the Small Rural Hospital Improvement Program (SHIP) to 1,540 small rural hospitals for COVID-19 testing and mitigation.

State Offices of Rural Health, which work with small rural hospitals to implement quality and operational improvement efforts, will receive the funding to distribute to eligible small rural hospitals in their state. Small rural hospitals—those with fewer than 50 beds and Critical Access Hospitals—are key health care access points and trusted community resources. Hospitals will use the funds to maintain or increase COVID-19 testing, expand access to testing for rural residents, and tailor mitigation efforts to reflect the needs of local communities.

Kentucky received $12,143,672 for 47 small rural hospitals for COVID-19 testing and mitigation.