Rural Health Networks 

In 1993, Section 381.0406, Florida Statutes established the basis for the formation of cooperative, nonprofit health networks in rural areas of Florida.  These organizations were directed to address the fundamental problems in rural health: inadequate financing, problems with recruitment and retention of health personnel, and migration of patients from rural providers to urban providers, thus undermining the abilities of rural hospitals to continue to provide timely and effective care.  The networks are intended to integrate public and private health resources, to emphasize cooperation over competition, and to increase usage of statutory rural hospitals in an effort to support rural economies.  Ultimately, nine rural health networks were formed in Florida.  Currently, these cover 28 of the 33 rural counties as well as parts of 13 non-rural counties.  The Department of Health has the responsibility for certifying the networks and for distributing grant funds to eligible participants. 

Rural Health Network Directory  - updated 3/2010  (opens in a new window; pdf-110kb)