[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 182 (Tuesday, September 22, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 48274-48275]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-22815]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Health Resources and Services Administration


Public Health Service Act, Section 330A(f)

AGENCY: Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), HHS.

ACTION: Notice of Non-competitive Replacement Award to White River 
Rural Health Center, Arkansas.

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SUMMARY: HRSA has issued a non-competitive replacement award under the 
Rural Health Network Development Program to White River Rural Health 
Center, Inc. (WRRHC). The original grantee, Siloam Springs Memorial 
Hospital, is no longer eligible to serve as the lead entity for this 
network of rural health care providers serving a five county area in 
Arkansas and Oklahoma. This replacement award will ensure that the 
medically underserved residents of western Benton and Washington 
counties in Arkansas and Adair, Cherokee, and Delaware counties in 
Oklahoma continue receiving necessary medical care and services without 
disruption.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Intended Recipient of the Award: White River 
Rural Health Center, Inc. in Augusta, Arkansas.
    Amount of the Fiscal Year 2009 Award: $179,995.
    Anticipated Amount of Fiscal Year 2010 Award: $179,995.
    Original Project Period: May 1, 2008, through April 30, 2011.
    Project Period for Replacement Award: August 1, 2009; end date 
April 30, 2011.

    Authority:  The Rural Health Network Development Program is 
authorized under the Public Health Service Act, section 330A(f), 42 
U.S.C. 254c(f). The authority for the exception to competition is 
HHS Grants Policy Directive 2.04, Awarding Grants.

    Catalogue of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 93.912.
    Justification for Transfer of Funds: The network of service 
providers funded under the original grant award are currently engaged 
in activities designed to increase access to health care and improve 
the quality of life for the poverty-stricken residents in the five 
county service area in Arkansas and Oklahoma, while further decreasing 
inefficiencies in the health care system, reducing inappropriate 
emergency room use, helping businesses keep insurance premiums under 
control, and improving the system for managing patients' long-term 
health, especially those with conditions like diabetes and heart 
disease. The service area under this grant award has a limited number 
of health care providers and a combined population of over 111,131. Of 
this population, 23,000 (21 percent) lack health insurance, and over 
18,000 (16.5 percent) have incomes less than 100 percent of the poverty 
rate. It is critical that HRSA funding for this network of service 
providers continues with minimal disruption of services.
    Siloam Springs Memorial Hospital is no longer able to serve as the 
lead entity for this network of rural health care providers in Arkansas 
and Oklahoma, nor were the other network participants able to assume 
the lead fiduciary role.

[[Page 48275]]

WRRHC is a successful community health center that provides services to 
10 counties within Arkansas and has over 22 years of experience in 
managing State and federally funded programs, including three previous 
Rural Health Services Outreach grants. The comprehensive services that 
WRRHC provides and their ability to expand their service area will 
enable WRRHC to maintain the current scope of service and activities as 
originally awarded under the grant to Siloam Springs Memorial Hospital. 
This replacement award will help ensure the continued improvement of 
health care systems in the targeted service area. WRRHC has a 
demonstrated record of sound stewardship of Federal funds and can 
effectively serve as the network lead for the remainder period of 
support in a manner which minimizes any disruption of services provided 
by the network. Consequently, White River Rural Health Center has been 
designated the replacement award recipient.
    HRSA is unaware of any other entity that both meets the statutory 
eligibility requirements and has the ability to carry out these 
activities.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tom Morris, Associate Administrator, 
Office of Rural Health Policy, Health Resources and Services 
Administration, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20857; phone 301-443-
0835; [email protected].

    Dated: September 16, 2009.
Mary K. Wakefield,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. E9-22815 Filed 9-21-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4165-15-P