California Rural Health Policy Council

California Rural Health Policy Council

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Rural Health Policy Council
California's Focal Point for Rural Health - Home

RHPC Mission

The mission of the California Rural Health Policy Council (RHPC) is to formulate and establish rural health policy for the State of California and to provide a focal point for discussion of rural health issues within the California Health and Human Services Agency.

The RHPC serves the rural population of the entire State of California. Rural California makes up 92% of the landmass and 8% of the population. The RHPC provides useful resources for rural healthcare providers, advocates, and the public. In addition, the RHPC serves as a resource to all of the departments within the Agency on rural healthcare issues, and the California State Legislature.

Important Links

  • Facilities Development Division (FDD) HAZUS Reassessment Program DEADLINE IS JUNE 2009

    OSHPD is currently implementing a new voluntary program to re-evaluate the seismic risk of hospital buildings classified as Structural Performance Category (SPC-1). These buildings are considered hazardous and at risk of collapse in the event of an earthquake and must be retrofitted, replaced or removed from providing acute care services by 2013. OSHPD is using HAZARDS U.S. (HAZUS), a state-of-the-art methodology, to reassess the seismic risk of SPC-1 buildings and those that are determined to pose a low seismic risk may be reclassified to SPC-2. The SPC-2 buildings would have until 2030 to comply with the structural seismic safety standards. Participation in the HAZUS program is optional for hospital owners wishing to have their SPC-1 building(s) re-evaluated.

    For additional information, a copy of the HAZUS emergency regulations is available at:


    The most recent summary of requests for HAZUS Re-assessments is available at:

    If you have any questions regarding the HAZUS reassessment program, please contact John Gillengerten at (916) 654-3391 or by email at: jgilleng@oshpd.ca.gov.

    HAZUS is featured in the Governor's Health Care Reform Initiative as the "Worst First" Compliance with Hospital Seismic Safety Requirements.

  • Resources:
    The National Rural Health Association provides a regulatory guide to explain the proposed rule and changes. This guide gives step-by-step instructions for RHC administrators to determine whether or not their facility will continue to be designated as an RHC. It also explains the changes to both RHC and FQHC payment policies that could grossly underpay facilities for the care they provide. The guide also shares NRHA's planned comments that will be offered to CMS regulators and to give details on how rural advocates can submit their own comments. Click here to view the guide in PDF format. Your name and e-mail are required to download the free guide.

    To view OSHPD's Statewide Analysis of CMS's Proposed Rule on California's RHC click here!
    To view a list of RHCs impacted click here!

  • Funding opportunities
    Be sure to check our funding page often! For more details, Click Here
  • CMS Section 1011: Federal Reimbursement of Emergency Health Services Furnished to Undocumented Aliens Act
    Provides $250 million each year, for Fiscal Years (FY) 2005-2008. For more details Click Here
  • Network of Care for Mental/Behavioral Health
    This Web site is an online information resource for individuals, families and agencies concerned with mental and emotional health issues. For more details, Click Here
  • Jobs available in Rural Health Care
    The RHPC staff provides general job information, as we are not a recruiter. Our capacity is to act as a source of employment information. The job candidate and the healthcare facility are responsible for specific hiring details. To search for positions or to place an ad Click Here
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Page last revised January 14, 2009 2:55 PM