Purpose
The Critical Access Hospital (CAH) Program, created by Congress in 1998, was established to help improve the healthcare delivery system in rural areas of the U.S. The CAH program is part of a national initiative called the Rural Hospital Flexibility Program to strengthen rural health care.

The purpose of this site is fourfold:

• To provide information about the Colorado CAH program and how it works;
• To explain the qualifications and criteria for CAH conversion in Colorado;
• To provide helpful state and national resources to aid the CAH application process;
• To provide a forum by which Colorado CAH communities can communicate with each other.

Features of this Site

• "To provide information about the CAH program and how it works."
  • Overview of the Colorado CAH Program
  • What is the Rural Hospital Flexibility (FLEX) program?

• "To explain the qualifications and criteria for CAH conversion."
  • What are the steps to become a CAH?

• "To provide helpful resources to aid the application process."
  • CAH Resources
  • Key CAH Program Contacts
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • CAH News and Articles
  • Resources to Help Prepare for the Survey

• "To provide a forum by which CAHs can communicate with each other."
  • Colorado hospitals currently participating in the CAH program
  • Colorado hospitals considering CAH conversion - there are none at this time