The Office of Rural Health (ORH) assists underserved communities by improving access, quality and cost-effectiveness of health care. In state fiscal year 2016, the office spent $28.3 million from state, federal, and philanthropic sources. ORH administers over 300 contracts designed to expand access to high quality health care for rural and underserved populations allowing the office to return over 90% of its budget directly to NC communities. In addition, ORH provides in-depth technical assistance to North Carolina’s Safety Net system. In 1973, the North Carolina ORH became the first state office in the nation created to focus on the needs of rural and underserved communities.
While we do not provide direct care, our programs support numerous health care safety net organizations throughout North Carolina.