2025 Year in Review: HRSA Advances Mission and Strengthens Access to Care NationwideIn 2025, HRSA remained steadfast in its mission to protect and improve health outcomes across the nation, particularly for those who are underserved, medically vulnerable, or have limited access to care. Under the Make America Healthy Again Initiative and through strategic action and responsible use of federal resources, HRSA’s programs prioritized gold-standard science and strengthened health systems and communities across the country. Key achievements include: - HRSA-supported health centers served 32.4 million patients — the largest increase in three years.
- Nearly 602,000 people received care through the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program, with patients achieving a 91.4% viral suppression rate.
- HRSA’s workforce programs supported more than 5,540 trainees providing care in underserved communities nationwide.
- HRSA’s Maternal Mental Health Hotline received more than 30,000 calls and texts — a 35% increase from the previous year.
- HRSA supported nearly 48,600 solid organ transplants— the highest number ever recorded— and facilitated ongoing modernization of the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN).
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| | JanuaryCervical Cancer Awareness Month Maternal Health Awareness Day (Jan. 23) |
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New Cervical Cancer Screening Guidelines Strengthen Women's Health| On Jan. 5 and during Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, HRSA announced updates to the Women's Preventive Services Guidelines on screening for cervical cancer. The updated guidelines include an option for average-risk women aged 30 to 65 to self-collect samples for testing and requires insurers to cover follow-up testing to complete the screening process for malignancy without patient cost sharing. The updated guidelines will take effect for most health insurance plans starting in 2027. This, along with other recommendations, will help increase screening rates, reduce barriers to testing, and improve early detection of cervical cancer. |
HRSA Visits National Hansen's Disease Program and Critical Access Hospital in LouisianaThis month, HRSA Administrator Tom Engels and staff traveled to Louisiana to visit the National Hansen’s Disease Program and St. James Parish Hospital, learning more about the vital work each does and connecting with the dedicated teams working every day to keep communities healthy. On Jan. 21, HRSA visited the National Hansen’s Disease Program - the epicenter of Hansen’s disease (leprosy) care, research, and information in the United States. The visit included a tour of the National Hansen’s Disease Museum in Carville, La., which honors leprosy patients and the dedicated medical professionals who cared for them and whose work shaped the history of care for this disease. HRSA also visited the Laboratory Research Program at Louisiana State University, where critical research is advancing prevention, diagnosis, and treatment options for Hansen's disease. |
| On Jan. 22, HRSA visited St. James Parish Hospital in Lutcher, La., to learn how the Critical Access Hospital is supporting its community and helping build a statewide rural health network. The hospital recently expanded its support for rural communities through participation in HRSA’s Delta Region Community Health Systems Development program, which provides technical assistance to strengthen hospital operations, expand telehealth, and enhance community engagement, increasing access to high quality care for rural residents. HRSA proudly recognizes the commitment and progress of the National Hansen’s Disease Program and St. James Parish Hospital and looks forward to their continued impact in advancing health outcomes and improving lives. |
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HRSA Appoints Eight New Tribal Advisory Council (TAC) DelegatesHRSA is pleased to announce the appointment of eight new delegates to the HRSA Tribal Advisory Council (TAC). The TAC provides guidance to HRSA on issues affecting Tribal Nations and Indigenous communities and helps ensure HRSA programs are responsive to Tribal health priorities. The new delegates representing the Indian Health Service Areas are: - Alaska Area – Karissa Stoecker, Vice President of Health Services, Kodiak Area Native Association
- Albuquerque Area – Krystal Enjady, Council Member, Mescalero Apache Tribe
- Bemidji Area – Aaron A. Payment, Councilman, Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians
- Billings Area – Kimberly Whiteman Harjo, Co-Chair, Northern Arapaho Tribe
- California Area – Lisa Bradley, Council Secretary, Tejon Indian Tribe
- Navajo Area – Richelle Montoya, Vice President, Navajo Nation
- Portland Area – Brandon Tupper, Tribal Council Member At-Large, The Klamath Tribes
- Tucson Area – Pamela J. Benavidez, Legislative Council Representative, Tohono O'odham Nation
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Telehealth for the Prevention and Management of Chronic Diseases| Telehealth can be used to support the prevention and management of chronic conditions. Explore the latest tools and strategies for the effective use of telehealth technologies to support chronic disease prevention and management including specifics on getting started, developing a strategy, billing, and engaging patients. Share this tip sheet with patients so they can learn how telehealth helps people of all ages manage, and even prevent, chronic diseases. |
Additional Area Notice of Funding Opportunity Released for St. Gabriel, La., and Jemez Pueblo, N.M. HRSA released the Fiscal Year 2026 Service Area Competition – Additional Area (SAC-AA) Notice of Funding Opportunity for the St. Gabriel, La., and Jemez Pueblo, N.M., service areas, with an Aug. 1, 2026, performance period start date. Find details for the announced service areas in the Service Area Announcement Table. Applications are due in: - Grants.gov: Monday, March 16, 2026, by 11:59 p.m. ET.
- HRSA’s Electronic Handbooks (EHBs): Monday, April 13, 2026, by 5:00 p.m. ET.
Service Area Competition (SAC) technical assistance (TA) materials are available on the SAC TA webpage. National Technical Assistance Programs (NTAP) Cooperative Agreements Funding Opportunity HRSA announced the availability of approximately $24 million in NTAP Cooperative Agreements funding. This funding will support up to three NTAPs in developing and delivering technical assistance to health centers. FY 2026 NTAP applications are due in Grants.gov by 11:59 p.m. ET on Tuesday, March 31, 2026. Visit the NTAP technical assistance webpage for more information. |
