Warner & Kaine Announce Over $2.4 Million in Federal Funding to Expand Health Care Access and Nutrition Assistance

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine announced $2,467,900 in federal funding to expand access to health care and nutrition assistance across Virginia. The funding was made possible by the American Rescue Plan, which Warner and Kaine helped pass last year, and is awarded through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Community Facilities Emergency Rural Health Care Grant Program.

“Virginians’ zip codes should not determine whether or not they can access quality health care and nutrition assistance, which is why we’re always fighting to make sure our rural communities have the resources they need,” said the senators. “We’re glad this funding will help expand access to telehealth, medical services, and food assistance throughout the Commonwealth.”

The funding will be distributed as follows:

• $467,900 to Appalachian Sustainable Development in Duffield to expand food distribution and help food pantries cover their financial costs.
• $1,000,000 to the Harvest Outreach Center in Gladys to help Virginians access mental health care through telehealth and reimburse revenue lost during the COVID pandemic.
• $1,000,000 to Northampton County to purchase emergency medical services (EMS), medical, and food prep equipment as well as new generators for two elementary schools, which will help support the establishment of an EMS training center for high school students.

The Emergency Rural Health Care Grant Program helps expand access to COVID testing and vaccines, rural health care services, and food assistance.

Warner and Kaine have been leading advocates for rural communities and health care access in Virginia. Earlier this year, the senators announced over $2.1 million in emergency rural health care funding. Last year, the senators introduced legislation to expand telehealth services through Medicare, make permanent COVID telehealth flexibilities, improve health outcomes, and make it easier for patients to safely connect with their doctors. Kaine has also cosponsored the Rural Health Equity Act, which would address the unique health care challenges and inequities faced by rural communities across America.

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