As HRSA and Federal grant-awarding agencies everywhere address recipients directly affected by COVID-19, we fully recognize the significant impact this situation has had on many of you.

I encourage you to visit the HRSA website to get the latest information on how COVID-19 affects HRSA programs -- and how HRSA is working to provide our grantees with support and answers to your most immediate questions. You are our most important priority.

It is encouraging that our latest health center survey shows that HRSA-funded health centers are able to conduct COVID-19 tests for nearly 135,000 people per week. 900 health centers report that they are able to test patients for coronavirus, and of those, more than 70 percent are offering walk-up or drive-up testing.

I am also pleased to share with you that our Find a Health Center website now shows which health centers can conduct COVID-19 testing.

I appreciate your partnership and patience as we work together to ensure our nation’s health and safety. As we move forward together, your work remains integral to our nation’s response to the pandemic.

Stay safe. And stay healthy.

Thank you,
Tom Engels
HRSA Administrator

June 2 - Today, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), awarded $20.3 million to 44 recipients to increase the number of fellows at accredited addiction medicine and addiction psychiatry fellowship programs. The awardees will train addiction specialists at facilities in high need communities that integrate behavioral and primary care services.

“This new funding will increase the number of support specialists available to treat Americans with addiction, addressing a serious need that could be exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said HHS Secretary Alex Azar. “President Trump and HHS have prioritized tackling our country’s addiction crisis by increasing access to evidence-based treatment services, and HRSA’s new Addiction Medicine Fellowship will advance that work.”

Read the release.

May 28 - Today, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) awarded $15 million to 52 Tribes, Tribal organizations, urban Indian health organizations, and other health services providers to Tribes across 20 states to prepare, prevent, and respond to COVID-19 in rural tribal communities.

“President Trump stands with Tribal nations across the country as they grapple with COVID-19 in rural communities,” said HHS Secretary Alex Azar. “Today’s funding gives Tribes critical support to build up their capacity for fighting COVID-19, boost testing capabilities, increase purchases of PPE, and hire and pay the personnel they need.”

Read the release.

Health care facilities can now apply to be approved as a National Health Service Corps (NHSC) site. Eligible sites includes those that provide outpatient, ambulatory and primary health care services (medical, dental, and behavioral health) to people living in high-need urban and rural areas.

Additional, eligible sites include facilities providing general substance use disorder (SUD) Treatment, a Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) Program or an Opioid Treatment Program (OTP).

Applications are due July 21.

Learn more about the NHSC new site application.

In light of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the 2020 National Ryan White Conference on HIV Care and Treatment (NRWC) is officially going virtual! The conference dates will remain August 11-14, 2020, but the times will be adjusted to accommodate different time zones. Registered participants are still encouraged to attend the full length of the conference, however the virtual platform would allow for more flexibility. 

The health, well-being, and safety of all of our attendees is the top priority for HAB leadership. While there is not yet sufficient data on whether people with HIV are more susceptible or more likely to develop severe disease, we must take every precaution to reduce any potential risk to the vulnerable population the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program serves. 

We know many of the registered attendees and speakers are working on the front lines of the COVID-19 response around the world. This virtual format will allow those on the front line to still have an opportunity to attend the conference and not take them away from the communities they are working hard to serve. 

Please note, all Marriott Marquis Washington, DC hotel reservations will be cancelled on behalf of registered attendees. There is no need to contact the hotel to request a reservation cancellation.

Registration is still open and will remain open until July 31! If you have not already done so, please visit the conference website to complete your registration.

The NRWC is also pleased to offer digital exhibiting opportunities. Submit a request to exhibit today.

June is Men’s Health Month. Did you know that men make up 75% of patients waiting for a heart transplant, and about 60% of those waiting for a kidney or liver transplant? Although over half of the deceased donors in 2019 were men, more organs are needed to meet the demand, especially since female organs are often too small for larger men and women in need of transplants. Celebrate Men’s Health Month by encouraging all men to sign up as organ, eye, and tissue donors.

To learn more and to sign up, visit www.organdonor.gov or www.donaciondeorganos.gov. 

Follow and “Like” us on Facebook @Organdonor.gov  and @Donaciondeorganos.gov .

A recent webinar on Funding Sources for the Establishment and Operationalization of Alternate Care Sites is now available online. 

The webinar provided additional information based on the ACS Funding Summary: Establishment and Operationalization (PDF - 1 MB) tip sheet, including various funding options for establishing ACSs, the operation and ongoing administration of ACS, and for direct patient care costs.

The webinar originally aired May 22, 2020, and was sponsored by HHS ASPR’s Technical Resources, Assistance Center, and Information Exchange (TRACIE), in collaboration with the HHS/FEMA COVID-19 Healthcare Resilience Task Force,

The presentation (PDF - 824 KB) and webinar are now available online. 

Check out other resources from ASPR TRACIE.

We are seeking public input and feedback to inform policy considerations related to changes to scoring criteria for Health Professional Shortage Areas, as described in this Request for Information (RFI).

Information regarding current scoring can be found in a notice published in the Federal Register, 68 Fed. Reg. 32531 (May 30, 2003).

We are also looking for stakeholder input on possible additions or alternative approaches to HPSA scoring. These would include, but are not limited to, new factors, components, or point weighting. We will not accept proposals to expand NHSC eligibility to new provider types or proposals that otherwise go beyond the purview of HPSA scoring. Feedback on the areas of consideration outlined in the RFI, as well as more general feedback or suggestions will be collected through September 18. 

Email responses to RFIComments@hrsa.gov and reference “Health Professional Shortage Area Scoring Criteria RFI” in the subject line.