Rural Health Care Delivery Improvement Act

Summary

Rural Health Care Delivery Improvement Act - Declares it to be the purpose of this Act to provide assistance to programs for the delivery of health services in order to increase the availability of health care services to residents of rural areas. Establishes within the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, an Office of Rural Health to be headed by a Director appointed by the Secretary. Enumerates the powers of the Director, including (1) the authority to award grants for projects to examine existing models of rural health care delivery, (2) determination their applicability to other rural areas, and (3) assistance in the planning and demonstration of rural health care delivery models. States that in determining the eligibility of any entity for assistance, the Director will consider specified factors, including (1) identification of the demographic and geographic characteristics which categorize an area as rural; (2) emergency medical care components and systems available to meet the special problems of the rural areas; (3) education programs in rural areas, including health and nutrition education; and (4) development of community planning mechanisms so that the communities can develop health care delivery models appropriate to their needs. Directs the Director to: (1) provide liaison among agencies of the Federal Government for the purpose of coordinating health care programs in rural areas, (2) make a periodic evaluation of other Department of Health, Education, and Welfare programs relating to health care in rural areas, and (3) provide technical assistance for the development of rural health care delivery models. Authorizes, for grants and contracts, to be appropriated $75 million for fiscal year 1974, $100 million for fiscal year 1975, and $125 million for fiscal year 1976. Specifies the terms and conditions under which the Director may approve an application for assistance under this Act. Establishes in the Treasury a rural health care delivery loan guarantee and loan fund to enable the Secretary to discharge his responsibilities under guarantees issued by him and for direct loans to public entities. Authorizes to be appropriated to the fund from time to time such amounts as may be required for the fund. Provides that the Director may make grants to public and nonprofit private entities, may enter into contracts with public and private entities and individuals, and the Secretary may provide loans to public entities, and may provide loan guarantees to private entities and individuals. Establishes a Rural Health Care Advisory Committee which shall advise the Director with respect to overall planning, policies, objectives and priorities for the Office of Rural Health and the general administration of the program created under this Act. Sets forth the composition and compensation of Committee members.

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1 official file

• Introduced in Senate

  summary · EN · 1 October 1973

  Open at official source

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