Rural Hospital Provider Assistance Program

The Rural Hospital Provider Assistance Program provides direct financial assistance to eligible rural hospitals facing structural payment disadvantages for the maintenance of health care providers with the goal of maintaining essential health care services and preventing avoidable closures. Eligible rural hospitals must have no more than 50 acute care inpatient beds and an established Medicare wage index value below 0.90. Key aspects of the program include: • Providing financial assistance to eligible rural hospitals • Maintaining essential health care services • Preventing avoidable closures • Eligibility criteria based on inpatient beds and Medicare wage index value • Alignment with HRSA's mission and strategic priorities • Emphasis on evidence-based healthcare, biological and physiological integrity, and gold standard science.