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 Alabama, Alaska, Georgia, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, and West Virginia.
Alabama: $144M to Improve Mental Health, Substance Abuse, Emergency, and Maternal Care & Expand the Health Care Workforce
This federal investment will help strengthen the rural health workforce, expand care options, and modernize health care delivery across Alabama.
A $144 million investment is being delivered to improve health outcomes for Alabamians through the federal Rural Health Transformation Program. This investment will support 138 grants to expand access to care, modernize health care technology and infrastructure, and strengthen the rural health care workforce. Read the full press release.
Alaska: $160M to Bring Cutting-Edge Technology, Drones Prescription Deliveries, Surgical Robotics & More
This federal investment will help expand access, strengthen the health workforce, improve infrastructure, and advance technology for communities across Alaska.
A $160 million investment is being delivered to improve health outcomes for Alaskans through the Rural Health Transformation Program. This investment will deliver funding to 142 projects across the state to advance technology, expand coordinated statewide care, and ensure seamless access for patients regardless of their ZIP Code. Read the full press release.
Georgia: $93.3 Million to Expand Telehealth Services, Advance Surgical Robotics and Transform Rural Healthcare Access
This federal investment will help expand coordinated statewide care, strengthen the rural health workforce, and support technology-enabled healthcare access across Georgia
A $93.3 million investment is being delivered to help rural hospitals advance new state-of-the-art models of care and improve health outcomes for Georgians through the federal Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP). This investment will help 87 rural hospitals prepare for value-based care, expand training and recruitment for nurses, EMTs and paramedics, and improve access to maternal and behavioral health services, newborn screening, and other critical health services through telehealth, transportation and expanded care networks. Read the full press release.
North Dakota: Critical Funding to Launch the Coordinating & Connecting Care Initiative
This federal investment will help bring high-quality care closer to home by improving coordination for rural North Dakotans.
An additional $1 million, made possible through the federal Rural Health Transformation Program, is being put to work in North Dakota to expand coordinated statewide care and ensure seamless access for patients across the state. The launch of the Coordinating and Connecting Care Initiative will bring together patients, rural health care providers, community-based and volunteer organizations, tribal partners, and other stakeholders to identify gaps, improve communication, and strengthen coordination of health care services across North Dakota. Read the full press release.
Ohio: $3.15M to Expand Pharmacy Connectivity Throughout Rural Communities
This federal investment will improve interoperability and management of patient health care coordination.
A $3.15 million investment is being delivered to strengthen pharmacy connectivity and improve care across rural communities in Ohio through the federal Rural Health Transformation Program. The investments will connect independent and retail pharmacies, federally qualified health centers, and outpatient hospital pharmacies across Ohio’s 73 rural counties to improve rural health care providers’ integrated access to critical prescription drug information. Read the full press release.
Pennsylvania: $35M to Advance Screening Technology, Secure Additional Operating Rooms & Modernize Rural Health Care
This federal investment will help provide technology, equipment, and expanded transportation options for communities across Pennsylvania.
A $35 million investment is being delivered to improve health outcomes for Pennsylvanians through the federal Rural Health Transformation Program. This investment will expand, upgrade, and modernize screening technology, buying equipment to bring additional operating rooms online and expanding transportation options removing access barriers for patients. This investment in supplies and equipment to help improve care and services advances the Administration’s commitment to strengthen rural health care and ensures Americans can access high-quality no matter their ZIP Code. Read the full press release.
South Dakota: $90M to Modernize & Improve IT and Interoperability
Federal investment will help fast-track IT modernization, boost cybersecurity, and improve interoperability in rural and underserved communities across South Dakota.
A $90 million investment is being delivered to South Dakota through the federal Rural Health Transformation Program to accelerate digital health modernization, strengthen cybersecurity, and enhance interoperability across rural and underserved communities. This investment will strengthen South Dakota’s health workforce, improve infrastructure, advance technology, and support innovative approaches tailored to the unique health care needs across the state. Read the full press release.
West Virginia: $4.2M to Expand Medical Transportation & Improve Patient Access to Care
This federal investment will expand medical transportation capacity and help ensure West Virginians have access to high-quality care no matter their ZIP Code.
An additional $4.2 million, made possible through the federal Rural Health Transformation Program, is being put to work in West Virginia to expand patients’ transportation options and remove service barriers. Read the full press release.