Wednesday, February 5, 2025
2/5/2025
Boston Mountain Rural Health Center, Inc. (BMRHC) was established in 1994 and has grown to operate 17, soon to be 18, locations serving 27,426 patients in rural communities in North Central and Northwest Arkansas. As a Federally Qualified Health Center, BMRHC serves underserved, vulnerable populations to support affordable, quality healthcare access. Currently, multiple barriers, including community geography, service access, and distance, significantly impact healthcare access for Madison County residents. The rural setting, characterized by geographical isolation and poverty, exacerbates health disparities. Long commutes, with 56% driving alone and over 30 minutes each way, and the absence of public transit hinder healthcare access, especially for low-income families. According to the 2022 BMRHC Needs Assessment, 17% of Madison County residents are below the poverty level, and 42% of the county population are low-income. This lower income level indicates potential challenges in accessing healthcare due to cost, ability to take off work when sick or in need of preventive care, and limited availability in many rural areas. Currently, individuals in Huntsville and surrounding areas in need of care after work hours must travel 25- 40 miles one way (30+ minutes). Many Hispanic low-income residents in the area work in the poultry industry and find it difficult to access healthcare during normal work hours. Access to care is a significant concern in Madison County. A 2022 BMRHC needs assessment indicated a gap in primary care providers, with a deficit of 3.3 providers, and since that time, one BMRHC provider, a pediatrician, has left the area. Based on the active participation and feedback from community members and local leadership, there is a recognized need to expand access beyond the current hours offered by BMRHC. Additionally, there is a demand for walk-in availability to address acute illnesses and immediate healthcare needs. Over the past two years, meetings discussing this issue have gained media attention. Moreover, the 2022 Madison County Health Coalition needs assessment identified "Access to Care" as the top concern among the community. With a strong sense of shared responsibility, the community believes that priority should be given to ensuring access to care for acute needs, where walk-in patients can be accommodated promptly, and services are available later in the evenings and on weekends. BMRHC is nearing the completion of a new wing at its Huntsville clinic location to address capacity at the existing clinic, and this additional space will help support BMRHCs extended hours operations for acute, chronic, and preventive care. BMRHC aims to expand its operational hours by an additional 32 hours at the Huntsville Health Center location, including most holidays. Hours of additional operation would be Monday through Thursday from 5:15 pm to 8:00 pm (additional 2.75 hr per day); Fridays from 11:45 am-7:00 pm (additional 7.15 hrs); Saturdays from 9:00 am - 5:00 pm (additional 8 hrs) and an additional 6 hours on Sundays (12:00 pm - 6:00 pm). To accommodate this schedule, BMRHC will hire two teams: one nurse practitioner, one nurse, one Rad-Tech/Lab technician, one front desk receptionist, and a .50 Nurse/Manager. These two teams will also expand access during work hours in addition to the after-hour schedule. Through extended hours, BMRHC expects to attract 160 new patients who previously did not utilize services and 740 existing patients who will utilize the extended hours resulting in a total of 1,740 patient encounters. This increase in patient encounters is a testament to the positive impact of the proposed extension of hours, bringing hope and optimism for improved healthcare access within the community.
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).