Recently, Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack announced that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is giving $30 million through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). Through the money, 36 community facility projects will be funded, many of which are centered around health care.
Vilsack said that making sure rural Americans have access to health care is an important part of reforming the health system.
"Revitalizing rural communities and building a 21st century economy is a promise the Obama administration is committed to delivering and rebuilding our healthcare infrastructure will help rural residents have access to critical care," Vilsack said.
Through the ARRA, the USDA has awarded $94 million in loans and grants to 146 health care projects in the country.
Congress is also taking steps in order to reform the health care system. Recently, the Senate Finance Committee approved an $829 billion plan that would change the nation's health industry. Members of the Senate will now work to combine the plan with one approved by the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee.
