Preface

We are pleased to share with you this manual on how to start a Rural Health Clinic (RHC). This document is being produced in response to the hundreds of requests for information we have received about the RHC program over the years.

The Rural Health Clinic program presents a very real opportunity for enhancing access to health care in underserved rural areas. The following information will provide you with a description of the program requirements, and describe in easily understandable language the mechanism for becoming an RHC.

The Federal Office of Rural Health Policy has prepared this document to assist health care practitioners to better understand the process for becoming a Federally-certified Rural Health Clinic. We hope it will be useful.

Elizabeth M. Duke, Ph.D.
Administrator
Health Resources and Services Administration