RALEIGH, N.C. (NCN News) — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services and the North Carolina Department of Information Technology announced the launch of the Rural Health Innovation Fund on Wednesday. The statewide fund will allocate approximately $20 million per year for up to five years to make it easier for rural providers to care for patients and operate their practices.
“North Carolinians need access to high-quality health care no matter where they live,” said Governor Josh Stein. “This investment will help rural health care providers use technology to connect patients to the care they need closer to home and deliver better health care in their communities.”
NC Health and Human Services Secretary Dev Sangvai said, “Launching the Rural Health Innovation Fund directly aligns with the Department’s core priorities to transform rural health care and improve access to care.” Rural providers often face obstacles such as limited funding, fewer staff, and less access to technical infrastructure to keep up with digital health care tools.
In its first year, the Rural Health Innovation Fund is available to primary care providers, community health centers, and safety net providers. Applicants must demonstrate how they serve rural residents. Eligible applicants may apply for funding for a number of projects, such as telehealth expansion, electronic health record upgrades, and cybersecurity enhancements.
The Rural Health Innovation Fund is part of North Carolina’s Rural Health Transformation Program, which was created by the federal government to help states improve health care in rural communities. North Carolina has the second-largest rural population in the country.