Taking Inventory: New USDA Resource Keeps Rural Pennsylvania Healthy and Thriving

USDA Rural Development sent this bulletin at 11/21/2024 04:00 PM EST

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Opinion Editorial

On April 23, 2024, more than 70 residents, public officials, and health care professionals gathered at Punxsutawney Area Hospital to break ground on a $23 million renovation project. The renovations funded through a USDA Community Facilities Direct Loan will allow for upgrades to the emergency department, outpatient service center entrance, laboratory and phlebotomy services, woman’s health center, and imaging services.

Taking Inventory: New USDA Resource Keeps Rural Pennsylvania Healthy and Thriving

Bob Morgan, State Director, USDA Rural Development in Pennsylvania

The success of every community across Pennsylvania depends on the health and wellbeing of its people. At USDA Rural Development, we believe that everyone should live in a healthy and safe environment.

As we celebrate National Rural Health Day, let’s remember that a strong community is rooted in its people. The theme “Power of Rural” gives us the opportunity to recognize the incredible efforts of health care providers and others dedicated to addressing the unique health care needs of rural Pennsylvania.

At USDA, we are doing what we can to support those selfless individuals and organizations and to help them better serve their communities.

USDA has many programs and resources that help rural communities improve their health and quality of life. We want to provide health care leaders and organizations with the information they need to take full advantage of these programs. For example, right here in Punxsutawney, Pa., where the area hospital broke ground this past spring on a $23 million renovation project for their emergency department, outpatient service center entrance, laboratory and phlebotomy services, woman’s health center, and imaging services.

On this National Rural Health Day, USDA is excited to announce the new USDA Rural Health Program Index. This inventory makes it easy for rural community leaders and others to identify which USDA programs and resources can help with specific health needs in their communities.

The index is a curated library of USDA programs and resources that support rural health. I encourage everyone in rural Pennsylvania to use the index to find the assistance that’s right for their community. USDA will demonstrate how to use the index during a webinar on Tuesday, Nov. 19. Sign up to attend and learn more.

The Biden-Harris Administration and USDA are committed to serving those who live in rural areas, like the small towns and communities so many of us in Pennsylvania call home. Expanding access to quality, affordable health care is essential to creating and sustaining thriving rural communities.

At USDA, we work hard to help rural and Tribal communities overcome challenges to health care access. Our programs ensure people have access to locally sourced nutritious foods and that those in remote areas have high-speed internet so they can access telemedicine services when they need them. USDA also partners with communities to build hospitals in rural areas and keep others open during times of financial stress and unforeseen hardships.

As I’ve traveled across Pennsylvania, visiting our rural communities, I’ve seen the unique challenges people face accessing the health care resources they need and deserve. I’ve also seen how the Biden-Harris Administration and USDA programs have helped meet those needs.

The USDA Rural Health Program Index will contribute to more stories like Punxsutawney Area Hospital] in Pennsylvania and across the country.

Join us this National Rural Health Day, Thursday, Nov. 21, as we celebrate all we have done and will continue to do to keep rural Pennsylvania healthy. Because, when rural people thrive, all of America thrives.

You can learn more about USDA’s programs and explore the Rural Health Program Index on our website.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

Contact Us
Rural Development
U.S. Department of Agriculture
359 East Park Drive, Suite 4 | Harrisburg, PA 17111-2747 Phone: 717.237.2153| Fax: 855.813.2863
www.rd.usda.gov/pa

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