The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is accelerating a once‑in‑a‑generation modernization of rural health care through a series of targeted federal investments now reaching communities across the country. From major technology upgrades and workforce expansion to improved care coordination, transportation access, and digital interoperability, these awards reflect a unified national strategy: strengthen rural health systems, close long‑standing access gaps, and ensure every American, regardless of ZIP Code, can rely on high‑quality, modern care. The following recent state investments illustrate how this commitment is taking shape on the ground, tailored to the unique needs of rural communities in Kansas, Mississippi, North Carolina, Vermont, and West Virginia.
Kansas: Nearly $17M to Adopt Emerging Health Care Technologies & Improve Patient Transportation Between Facilities
This federal investment will help rural providers adopt cutting-edge technology and improve transportation to specialty and behavioral health care.
A nearly $17 million investment is being delivered to support rural health care technology and increase patient transportation options for Kansans through the federal Rural Health Transformation Program. Read the full press release.
Mississippi: $104M to Transform Rural Health Care Through Cutting-Edge Technology & Expanded Care Closer to Home
This federal investment will support 167 awards to expand specialty and diagnostic care, improve health care facilities and equipment, and bring more services closer to home.
More than $104 million in federal Rural Health Transformation Program funding is being put to work to modernize rural health care, expand access to services, and strengthen care delivery for Mississippians. This investment will support 167 grants across rural provider technology, capital and care-gap closure, and telehealth programs. Read the full press release.
North Carolina: Expands Preventive & Behavioral Health Care Access for Students
This federal investment will strengthen school-based health care through new locations, telehealth, and mobile care for children in rural communities.
A $1.25 million investment is being delivered to expand access to preventive, acute, and behavioral health care for children in rural North Carolina through the federal Rural Health Transformation Program. This investment will support new and expanded school-based health centers, telehealth, mobile care, and increased capacity at existing rural locations to help bring health care closer to students. Read the full press release.
Vermont: $11.7M to Expand Access, Improve Patient Care Facilities & Strengthen Workforce Capacity in Nursing Homes and Long-Term Care System
This federal investment will increase the number of health care professionals and reinforce long-term care serving rural Vermonters.
An $11.7 million investment is being delivered to support rural nursing care facilities and strengthen the health care workforce across rural communities in Vermont through the federal Rural Health Transformation Program. Of this, Vermont is committing $9 million of those funds to provide tuition benefits to health care professionals in underserved or hard-to-fill positions who commit to serving rural communities within the state for at least 5 years after graduation. The remaining $2.7 million provides funding for 3 rural nursing homes to increase their capacity to serve residents with complex medical issues and 4 community partners to increase training of licensed nursing assistants to serve in rural health care and long-term care settings across the state. Read the full press release.
West Virginia: $4.8M to Strengthen Rural Health Care Workforce & Expand Preventive Care
This federal investment will support the rural health care workforce and expand preventive care while new funding opportunities will increase access to home dialysis and medical transportation.
A $4.8 million investment is being delivered to the Coal State through the federal Rural Health Transformation Program. This investment will help recruit and retain the health care workforce across West Virginia and expand access to primary, behavioral, maternal, emergency, specialty, and preventive care services. Read the full press release.