The Minnesota State Office of Rural Health (SORH)

View or download the 2024 Rural Health Care in Minnesota Infographic (PDF)

All 50 states have a State Office of Rural Health (SORH). The general purpose of each SORH is to help their individual rural communities build health care delivery systems. While funding levels and sources also vary, every state receives a portion of their funding from the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy (FORHP) through the SORH Grant program, begun in 1991. With this grant, a SORH is expected to:

• Collect and disseminate information
• Coordinate rural health care activities in states in order to avoid duplication
• Provide technical assistance to public and non-profit private entities

The National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health (NOSORH) was established in 1995 to assist SORHs in their efforts to improve access to, and the quality of, health care for America’s 61 million rural citizens. NOSORH enhances the capacity of SORHs to do this by supporting the development of state and community rural health leaders; creating and facilitating state, regional and national partnerships that foster information sharing and spur rural health-related programs/activities; and enhancing access to quality healthcare services in rural communities.

From our unique position within state government, the Minnesota Office of Rural Health and Primary Care (ORHPC) works in partnership with health care organizations, providers, policymakers, communities and other organizations.

Together, we develop innovative approaches and tailor our tools and resources to the diverse populations we serve.