HRSA celebrated the first anniversary of the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline last week. Since its launch on Mother’s Day 2022, the hotline’s professional counselors have provided emotional support, resources, and referrals to almost 12,000 pregnant and postpartum individuals who struggled with mental health concerns, and their loved ones. 

Additionally, HRSA introduced an updated toll-free number for the hotline: 1-833-TLC-MAMA (1-833-852-6262). The former number (1-833-9-HELP-4-MOMS or 1-833-943-5746) will continue to work for another year.

Learn more about the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline.

Read the release.

HRSA is pleased to announce the Rural Maternity and Obstetrics Management Strategies (RMOMS) Program is now open on grants.gov and accepting applications through Friday, July 7. Approximately $2 million is available to fund up to two health networks to preserve access to and continuity of maternal and obstetrics care in rural communities. For more information about the RMOMS program and current awardees, visit the RMOMS webpage.

HRSA Administrator Carole Johnson participated in a Fireside Chat at HHS headquarters to discuss the importance of strengthening the mental health care workforce. The discussion, facilitated by Angela Ramirez, HHS Deputy Chief of Staff, was a session held as a part of the HHS Mental Health Summit: Strengthening Mental Health. Administrator Johnson spoke to HRSA’s role in growing the mental health workforce and behavioral health proposals in the FY 24 budget.

In 2020, certain Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) requirements were temporarily waived to help prevent people from losing their health care coverage during the COVID-19 pandemic. This policy ended on March 31, 2023. 

The Biden-Harris Administration is committed to ensuring that all Americans can access high-quality, affordable health coverage, and HRSA-funded organizations are a key part of this effort. HRSA has committed more than $4.5 million in additional funding to HRSA-funded organizations to conduct outreach and enrollment activities to ensure uninterrupted access to health care coverage for people in medically underserved communities—in addition to existing HRSA funding being leveraged to support these activities.

Learn about HRSA’s efforts.

Eligible health care facilities can now apply for approval as new National Health Service Corps (NHSC) sites. Health care sites and facilities that provide outpatient, ambulatory and primary health care services (medical, dental, and behavioral health) to populations residing in high-need urban, tribal, and rural areas are eligible to apply. NHSC-approved sites with an inactive status may also apply for approval during the open cycle. Applications are due Thursday, June 22, 11:59 p.m. ET.

Learn more about the NHSC new site application.

May 14 - 20 is National Women's Health Week. This year’s theme is "Women’s Health, Whole Health: Prevention, Care and Well-being." The HRSA Office of Women’s Health encourages and reminds women and girls to reflect on their individual health needs and take steps to improve their overall health.

On May 19, HRSA’s HIV/AIDS Bureau (HAB) will commemorate National Asian & Pacific Islander HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. This day is an opportunity to increase awareness about HIV care, treatment, and support services for Asians & Pacific Islanders (API) and educate the public on the impact of HIV-related stigma on the API community. HRSA’s Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program (RWHAP) is dedicated to supporting API with HIV with access to care, medication, and essential support services they need to stay healthy.

In 2021, 95.9 percent of Asians and 87.8 percent of Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders receiving HIV care through the RWHAP were virally suppressed, which is a significant increase from 78.8 and 70.5 percent in 2010. Viral suppression means they cannot sexually transmit HIV to their partner and can live longer and healthier lives.

Learn more.

During the month of May, HAB recognizes Hepatitis Awareness Month and Hepatitis Testing Day on May 19. It is a time to raise awareness about the impact of viral hepatitis among people with HIV and encourage those with HIV to get tested for hepatitis C virus (HCV). According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, HCV is one of the primary causes of chronic liver disease in the U.S., and approximately 21 percent of people with HIV also have HCV. HRSA’s Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program is dedicated to providing prevention and treatment services for people who have or are at risk for HIV/HCV coinfection.

Learn more.

HRSA’s Office of Women’s Health is proud to launch the 2023 – 2025 HRSA Strategy to Address Intimate Partners Violence (IPV) during National Women's Health Week. Review the newly released IPV Strategy to learn how HRSA prevents and responds to IPV.

This month, HRSA launched the Health Care and Service Delivery Site Dashboard to provide visualization of data pertaining to the location of sites that deliver services funded by or participating in HRSA related programs by state and county.

The tool provides visibility into the distribution of health care services and helps HRSA enhance program outreach and impact across the country to improve access to health care. The dashboard is intended to strengthen and promote innovation, data sharing, accountability, and equity, making more health data information available to the public on the meaningful programs HRSA supports.

HAB invites you to mark your calendar for the 2024 National Ryan White Conference on HIV Care & Treatment (NRWC). The 2024 NRWC will take place August 20-23, 2024, and will be held both in person at the Marriott Marquis in Washington, D.C. and virtually. This will allow registered participants more flexibility to interact with and engage in this important biennial event. More details will be shared in summer 2023.