About AzSHIP
The Arizona Center for Rural Health (AzCRH) at The University of Arizona (UArizona) Health Sciences Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health (MEZCOPH) is funded by the Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) for the Arizona Small Rural Hospital Improvement Program (AzSHIP).
AzSHIP currently includes 13 small rural hospitals (<50 beds) and Critical Access Hospitals (<25 beds, >35 mi from another facility, and operate a 24/7 emergency department). Funds ($12,000 per hospital) are used for fiscal and quality improvement and reform such as value-based purchasing, participating in accountable care organizations, and payment bundling.
In 2021, AzSHIP received funding through the American Rescue Plan for COVID-19 testing and mitigation at 16 Arizona hospitals. The ARP-SHIP Program runs until December 31, 2022 granting one-time funding of $246,600 to each eligible hospital (see map). Activities are to focus on improving hospital and health care operations and systems around general testing and mitigation and minor alterations and renovation.
