S. 403 — Rural Health Focus Act

This section establishes within the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) the Office of Rural Health, to be headed by a director selected by the CDC director. The office director's duties include (1) serving as CDC's primary rural health contact; (2) assisting with research, coordination, and dissemination on rural public health issues; (3) developing CDC policies, best practices, and programs (including telehealth) to improve rural care; (4) coordinating rural health research, outreach, and evidence-based interventions; (5) improving understanding of rural health challenges; (6) identifying rural disparities in health care and public health interventions; (7) awarding grants and contracts for rural health technical assistance; and (8) coordinating with the Health Resources and Services Administration's Federal Office of Rural Health Policy to avoid duplication.