All 50 states will receive a share of $10 billion in fiscal 2027 under the second round of the Rural Health Transformation Program, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced Monday. The money goes to states to carry out approved plans for improving access to rural care.
How states can use the money
CMS said the projects vary by state. Some states are investing in equipment and technology or training more health workers. Others are working on chronic disease prevention, new ways to deliver care or changes in how providers are paid. The federal award table lists state totals, so readers looking for a specific clinic or hospital should consult their state’s program documents for project details.
Every state submitted a progress report after the first year. CMS said it considered how states were carrying out their plans and implementing rural health policies when it set the second-year amounts. KFF Health News, citing Politico, reported that some states received more than last year while others received less.
What to watch next
The funding is part of a five-year, $50 billion program. CMS says it will continue to monitor state progress and provide technical assistance. Future reports can show whether projects help rural residents get appointments closer to home, expand the services they can use or improve staffing at facilities that struggle to recruit.
The awards are separate from broader Medicaid policy changes. In Texas, a state senator has filed a proposal to expand Medicaid eligibility ahead of the 2027 legislative session.