Rural, poor urban clinics may lose federal funds

A proposal from the Bush Administration to change the way areas are designated as medically underserved or short of primary care doctors may jeopardize funding for clinics that serve rural and poor urban patients. (Source: "Rule changes a blow to clinics," Cleveland Plain-Dealer, June 16, 2008)

Designation from the Department of Health and Human Services brings with it federal dollars for new clinics and enable clinics and hospitals to recruit doctors through special programs.

While some are worried that the change in designations and related loss of funding would mean a loss of access for rural residents or a burden on emergency rooms in poor urban areas, administration officials contend that states will be given more flexibility to use funds to provide care in underserved areas and any changes would be phased in over three years so that states could prepare for them.