116 STAT. 1630 PUBLIC LAW 107-251—OCT. 26, 2002 combined the functions of the entities participating in the networks in order to— "(i) achieve efficiencies; "(ii) expand access to, coordinate, and improve the quahty of essential health care services; and "(iii) strengthen the rural health care system as a whole. "(B) GRANT PERIODS.— The Director may award such a rural health network development grant for implementation activities for a period of 3 years. The Director may also award such a rural health network development grant for planning activities for a period of 1 year, to assist in the development of an integrated health care network, if the proposed participants in the network do not have a history of collaborative efforts and a 3-year grant would be inappropriate. "(2) ELIGIBILITY.—To be eligible to receive a grant under this subsection, an entity— "(A) shall be a rural public or rural nonprofit private entity; "(B) shall represent a network composed of participants— "(i) that include 3 or more health care providers; and "(ii) that may be nonprofit or for-profit entities; and "(C) shall not previously have received a grant under this subsection (other than a grant for planning activities) for the same or a similar project. "(3) APPLICATIONS.— To be eligible to receive a grant under this subsection, an eligible entity, in consultation with the appropriate State office of rural health or another appropriate State entity, shall prepare and submit to the Secretary an application, at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require, including— "(A) a description of the project that the eligible entity will carry out using the funds provided under the grant; "(B) an explanation of the reasons why Federal assistance is required to carry out the project; "(C) a description of— "(i) the history of collaborative activities carried out by the participants in the network; "(ii) the degree to which the participants are ready to integrate their functions; and "(iii) how the local community or region to be served will benefit from and be involved in the activities carried out by the network; "(D) a description of how the local community or region to be served will experience increased access to quality health care services across the continuum of care as a result of the integration activities carried out by the network; "(E) a plan for sustaining the project after Federal support for the project has ended; "(F) a description of how the project will be evaluated; and
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