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 Alaska, Delaware, Maryland, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, Ohio, and Texas.
Alaska: Nearly $249 Million to Bring Healthcare Closer to Home for Rural Alaskans
This federal investment will connect Alaska’s remote clinics through telehealth, equip community health aides with new tools, and grow the local health workforce.
Nearly $249 million in Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) funding for 254 projects that will strengthen healthcare for rural Alaskans. This investment will expand maternal and child health services, strengthen the rural health workforce, bring new technology to village clinics, and improve access to care in communities statewide. The announcement completes Alaska’s Year 1 RHTP funding cycle. Read the full press release.
Delaware: New Funding to Support Early Career Physicians Who Choose to Work in Rural Delaware
This federal investment will award housing and assistance to help future physicians train and practice in rural communities, ensuring Delawareans get the care they need close to home.
Over a million dollars announced in Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) funding to help recruit and retain physicians serving communities in rural Delaware. This investment will support medical students and physicians in residency training, reduce the financial burden of clinical training, and encourage more physicians to build their careers while expanding quality care access to rural communities across Delaware. Read the full press release.
Maryland: More Than $16 Million for Rural Healthcare Workforce Training and Retention Across Maryland
This federal investment will prepare Marylanders for healthcare careers and help rural communities recruit and retain nurses, physicians, dentists, and other providers.
$16.4 million in Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) funding to address critical healthcare workforce shortages and improve access to care. This investment will support projects ready for rapid deployment that train new healthcare workers, expand apprenticeships, and help rural communities recruit and retain skilled professionals across Maryland. Read the full press release.
Missouri: New Funding to Support Rural Healthcare Workers and Expand Maternal Care Across Missouri
Federal investment will expand childcare support for rural healthcare workers and launch nurse midwife training to help address maternal care gaps across Missouri.
More than $2.3 million in federal Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) funding to strengthen Missouri’s rural healthcare workforce and expand access to maternal care. This investment supports two targeted workforce initiatives in Missouri: expanding affordable, dependable childcare for rural healthcare professionals and delivering funding to establish a certified nurse midwife training program. Read the full press release.
Montana: New Funding to Expand Rural EMS and Bring More Care Directly to Patients Across Montana
This federal investment will give rural emergency medical teams the tools to provide in-home care, manage chronic conditions, and help Montanans avoid unnecessary emergency visits,
$3.63 million in Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) funding to expand community integrated health (CIH) services across rural Montana. This investment will help rural emergency medical services (EMS) agencies deliver more care directly to patients and connect them to vital resources, keeping high-quality care close to home for Montanans. Read the full press release.
Nebraska: More Than $177 Million to Recruit Rural Healthcare Workers, Expand Mobile Care, and Modernize Services Across Nebraska
This federal investment will bring new providers to rural communities, deploy remote-monitoring technology at dozens of healthcare facilities, and create hundreds of community health positions across Nebraska.
More than $177 million in Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) funding to strengthen rural healthcare delivery across Nebraska. This investment will expand access to care, support healthcare workforce development, modernize rural healthcare technology, and bring services closer to home for rural and frontier communities. Read the full press release.
New Hampshire: More Than $11 Million to Strengthen Rural EMS and Expand Mobile Healthcare Across New Hampshire
This federal investment will create and expand mobile health programs, connect EMS agencies with rural hospitals, and bring more care directly to patients across New Hampshire.
More than $11 million in Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) funding to strengthen emergency medical services and expand Mobile Integrated Health across rural New Hampshire. This investment will support Mobile Integrated Health programs that bring healthcare services directly into rural communities, while helping EMS agencies respond to rising demand and workforce pressures. Read the full press release.
Ohio: $92 Million to Coordinate Rural Hospital Networks, Improve Maternal Care, and Expand Medical Services Across Ohio
This federal investment will connect rural providers and bring MRI, behavioral health, and maternal care closer to patients across Ohio.
$92 million in Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) funding to help rural providers connect patients to coordinated, high-quality care and bring essential health services closer to home for Ohioans. This investment will support coordinated care networks, strengthen maternal health services, and upgrade equipment and facilities at 22 rural hospitals across Ohio. Read the full press release.
Texas: $8 Million for 28 Rural Healthcare Providers to Strengthen Healthcare Across Texas
These investments will support the rural healthcare workforce, improve medical equipment and facilities, and help prevent and manage chronic disease across Texas.
$8 million in Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) funding to 28 rural healthcare providers through the Rural Texas Strong initiative. This investment will support chronic disease prevention, improved health outcomes, recruitment and retention of healthcare professionals, and medical equipment and facility improvements to expand access to high-quality care across rural Texas. Read the full press release.
Texas: $78 Million for Rural Healthcare Workforce, Chronic Disease Prevention, and Facility Upgrades Across Texas
These investments will support the rural health workforce, modernize aging equipment, and advance chronic disease prevention to keep quality care within reach for rural Texans.
$78 million in Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) funding to 216 rural healthcare providers through the Rural Texas Strong initiative to strengthen healthcare across rural Texas communities. This investment will support chronic disease prevention and improved health outcomes, rural healthcare workforce recruitment and retention, and medical equipment and facility improvements to expand access to state-of-the-art care across Texas. Read the full press release.