Great Plains Regional Medical Center to receive federal support

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The USDA today announced that it is investing $501 million in 60 projects to help improve health care infrastructure and services in rural communities nationwide.

In Elk City the investment will be used to purchase the Great Plains Regional Medical Center, currently owned by the Farmers Union Hospital Association. The medical center is a 19-acre campus with three staff buildings and a 54-bed, short-term, acute care hospital constructed in 2009. The hospital's primary service area covers some 45,000 Oklahomans in Beckham, Roger Mills and Washington counties in rural, Western Oklahoma.

“Creating strong and healthy communities is foundational to increasing prosperity in rural America,” Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development Anne Hazlett said. “Under the leadership of Secretary Sonny Perdue, USDA is committed to partnering with rural leaders to improve quality of life and economic development through modern and accessible health care.”

Hazlett made today’s announcement as part of USDA’s commemoration of National Rural Health Day, which is held annually on the third Thursday of November to focus on the specific health care issues facing rural communities. The Department is investing in 60 projects nationwide through the Community Facilities direct loan program. These investments will expand access to health care for approximately 2 million people in 34 states.

In addition to the Elk City funding, USDA is investing in rural health care projects in 33 other states across the nation.

The Blackfeet Nations is receiving an $8 million loan to help build a 39-bed, long-term-care facility on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation in northwestern Montana. The new, 27,079-square-foot facility will provide space for residents who are now in facilities that are more than 60 miles from the community. This project will benefit the approximately 7,000 members of the Blackfeet Nation who live on or near the Reservation.

The Concordia Parish Hospital Service District # 1, in Louisiana, is receiving a $30 million loan to build an 87,000-square-foot hospital. This investment will benefit the area’s 20,822 residents.

The Buffalo Lake Health Care Center, in Buffalo, Lake, Minn., is receiving a $1.2 million loan to expand a 49-bed, skilled nursing home and 16-unit assisted-living center designed to serve the area’s growing senior population.

USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities and create jobs in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural areas.

The Interagency Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity was established in April, 2017 to identify legislative, regulatory and policy changes that could promote agriculture and prosperity in rural communities. Increasing investments in rural infrastructure is a key recommendation of the task force.

Today’s funding announcement complements the finalization of a partnership between USDA and the National Rural Health Association (NRHA) to identify issues causing financial strain on rural health care providers. This technical assistance will help rural hospitals continue to operate and provide critical health care services to serve rural communities.

Further details on all loans announced today can be found at : https://www.rd.usda.gov/files/CF_DirectLoan_HEALTHCARE_NewsRelease_CHART11.15.2018.pdf