Glades County will receive more than $316,000 in new state funding aimed at strengthening local emergency medical services and addressing health care shortages in rural communities.
Gov. Ron DeSantis announced the funding as part of nearly $188 million in awards for rural health care programs across Florida. More than 80 awards will go to organizations and local governments serving 31 rural counties, including Glades County.
The Glades County Board of County Commissioners will receive more than $316,000, with most of the money expected to go toward training and equipment for the county’s paramedics and emergency medical technicians.
County Manager Paul Carlisle told WINK News that the funding is especially important because Glades County does not have a hospital and residents often have to travel outside the county for medical care. “We don’t have hospitals here. Hendry County is our nearest hospital,” Carlisle told the local news station. He said rural counties also struggle to attract family doctors and provide prenatal care.
Funding for paramedics and EMTs
The money comes as Glades County continues to face significant health care challenges. There are no acute-care hospitals in the county, and residents frequently travel to neighboring counties for hospital services and specialized care. The county also faces shortages of primary care and dental providers.
Those challenges can be especially difficult for residents who need frequent medical appointments.
Most of the new funding, County officials say, will be used to improve training for the county’s existing paramedics and EMTs and provide them with updated training equipment. Carlisle said the funding will help make sure local emergency workers are trained in the latest medical practices and technology. County officials also hope the investment will help Glades County attract additional health care and emergency medical workers.
Reagan Keeling, who is moving to Glades County and is expecting twin boys, told WINK News that she already has to travel to get the prenatal care and options she wants. Keeling, who also has a 5-year-old daughter, said she hopes the new funding is the beginning of more investment in health care closer to home.
Part of statewide rural health push
The Glades County award is part of Florida’s Rural Health Transformation Program, which is administered by the state Agency for Health Care Administration.
Florida received $209 million through the federal-state initiative. The program is intended to strengthen rural health systems, improve infrastructure, expand services and increase the number of health care workers serving rural areas.
DeSantis said the latest round includes nearly $188 million in awards. Southwest Florida will receive about $45 million through 21 awards. Statewide projects include new and expanded clinics, mobile health units, telehealth services, remote patient monitoring and additional clinical training.
“These investments in rural Florida will strengthen hospitals and clinics, expand the rural health care workforce, and help ensure Floridians can access high-quality care in their own communities,” DeSantis said in announcing the funding.