Bayside Health Departments to Host Listening Sessions

(CAMBRIDGE, Md) – Health departments on the bayside of the shore are coming together to listen to their community members.

This is a collaborative effort between the Dorchester and Talbot County Health Departments.

They’re planning to hold what they’re calling a Rural Health Listening session.

It’s part of a nationwide distribution of more than $50 billion, through the Rural Health Transformation Program.

Specifics on what the funding will be used for locally aren’t available yet, but these listening sessions will play a big role in that.

“It’s vitally important that the state hears from the rural communities here on the shore that made sure to get information on what we need so they can incorporate that in the rural health transformation plan that they will be submitting to the federal government,” says Dorchester County Health Department Public Information Officer, John Griep.

They’ll also discuss new reductions to Medicaid and health insurance.

And while the funding can’t be used to directly impact local rural hospitals, the discussion will help local health departments assess their needs, as the state must submit their applications to meet the requirements for the funding.

Griep says, “Yes, this is very important that states are able to get some additional funding from this rural health transformation program to in whatever way they can to assist rural health care and rural hospitals.”

You can attend the listening sessions either in person or virtually.

The health departments are asking for all responses via survey by September 30th.