Saturday, May 10, 2025
5/10/2025
Health Center Program - Rural Health Network of Monroe County Florida, Inc. Health Center Program Award Number: H80CS24174 Service Area ID: #327 City and State: Key West, FL Calendar Year 2026 Proposed Patients: 2,695 Rural Health Network of Monroe County Florida (RHNMC) was established in 1993 as a Rural Health Network located in Key West, Florida. We obtained FQHC status in June 2011. RHNMC provides medical and dental services at our main site, located within a low-income area of Key West, the major population center in the service area. This location was selected to promote access to affordable services for the target population. Our mobile unit also provides medical and dental services, including for people experiencing homelessness in the service area. The service area of RHNMC consists of Monroe County, Florida, which includes all of the Florida Keys and a portion of the Everglades (Mainland Monroe). Mainland Monroe County consists of the largely uninhabited western half of Everglades National Park, home to just 60 residents total. Nearly all residents of Monroe County reside in the Florida Keys. The Florida Keys is a 125-mile-long chain of islands in southern Florida connected by one main highway and a series of 60 bridges. Key West, the largest city in the Keys, is located at the southernmost point of the island chain. The service area, particularly Key West, is home to a significant number of homeless residents, as well as a large population of refugees from Haiti and Cuba. Population to be Served: RHNMC’s target population consists of the low-income and underserved residents of Monroe County, including those that are uninsured/publicly insured. The target population also includes the significant homeless population living in the Florida Keys, as well as the Cuban and Haitian refugees that have resettled in the service area. RHNMC’s target population experiences multiple barriers to accessing health services, including a shortage of providers willing to care for the uninsured/publicly insured, high rates of poverty, high rates of uninsured residents, and lack of available culturally and linguistically competent health care services. Needs to be Addressed: The Keys thrive on the tourism industry. The majority of Keys residents are either retired, or low-income individuals who are employed by the tourism industry working in restaurants, charter fishing boats, snorkeling tours, jet ski/boat rentals, and other hourly wage jobs that are highly dependent on customer tips. Because of its retirement/vacation destination appeal, affordable housing is a major issue in the Keys. Provider shortages are a significant access barrier for those living in poverty. Geographic barriers exacerbate this issue as residents often need to travel long distances to the closest available health care provider. Prominent health disparities for the target population have been identified; low-income and minority residents are further impacted by poor health outcomes. Addressing healthcare shortages, especially for low-income residents, is critical for reducing these health disparities and improving overall health outcomes. Proposed Services: RHNMC is requesting funding to continue to serve the general Community Health Center population and to provide Health Care for the Homeless services. With SAC 330 funding, we will provide care for 2,695 unduplicated patients with 7,285 visits in calendar year 2026. This includes 1,050 medical patients with 2,692 visits, and 1,854 dental patients with 4,593 visits. Federal 330 continuation funds are critical to continuing to meet the need for services among our vulnerable target population. As an FQHC that has 13 years of experience providing care for underserved populations, RHNMC has the infrastructure in place to position us to continue to affordable and accessible health care services in the Keys.
HHS’ Tracking Accountability in Government Grants System (TAGGS) website provides access to detailed descriptions of grants, loans, aggregated direct payments and other types of financial assistance awarded by the HHS Operating Divisions (OPDIVs) and the Office of the Secretary Staff Divisions (STAFFDIVs).