"Subject to appropriation by the legislature, moneys in the fund (Rural Health Care Access Fund) shall be used exclusively for the purpose of grants for improving access to primary care medical services in areas designated as primary care health professional shortage areas and medically underserved areas."

 Idaho Statute, Title 39: Health & Safety, Chapter 59

The Rural Health Care Access Program (RHCAP) helps rural Idaho communities improve access to primary medical and dental health care through grants assistance. Grants of up to $35,000 per year for a maximum of three years may be awarded to eligible entities serving areas designated as Health Professional Shortage Areas and Medically Underserved Areas. Applicants may submit grant proposals that improve access to health care in any of the four assistance categories: 

• Community development projects
• Telehealth projects
• Recruitment and retention
• Other activities related to improving health care access

Grants may not be used for construction for projects designed exclusively for the purchase of equipment. Funds may be allowed for the purchase of equipment essential to the project. However, the purchase may not exceed forty percent (40%) of the total proposal. Indirect costs may not exceed fifteen percent (15%). Click here for a summary of previous RHCAP grant awards. 

Program Goal

RHCAP improves access to primary care and dental services by strengthening healthcare systems in designated Health Professional Shortage Areas and Medically Underserved Areas. "Improving access to health care" includes removing barriers that prevent people from obtaining healthcare, strengthening healthcare systems, and developing partnerships to better serve communities. Examples of barriers may include socioeconomic, cultural, and geographic factors, or an inadequate availability of practitioners.

Eligibility

1. Applicants must be a non-profit organization registered with the Idaho secretary of state or government organization. Individuals may not apply for RHCAP funds.

 2.  Projects must serve an area designated as a Primary Care Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) or Medically Underserved Area (MUA) or Dental Health Professional Shortage Area in the state of Idaho.

Applications

Applications for the FY2011 grant cycle will be available on this website no later than July 1, 2010 or by contacting the State Office of Rural Health and Primary Care. Applications are due no later than 5:00 p.m. Mountain Time on August 30, 2010.