Trump Administration Announces $4.8 Million to Strengthen West Virginia’s Rural Healthcare Workforce and Expand Preventive Care

Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) Rural health Share Trump Administration Announces $4.8 Million to Strengthen West Virginia’s Rural Healthcare Workforce and Expand Preventive Care This federal investment will support the rural healthcare workforce and expand preventive care while new funding opportunities will increase access to home dialysis and medical transportation The Trump Administration announced today that a $4.8 million investment is being delivered to the Coal State through the federal Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP). This investment will help recruit and retain the healthcare workforce across West Virginia and expand access to primary, behavioral, maternal, emergency, specialty, and preventive care services. Today’s announcement delivers two funding awards of $2.4 million each. With $2.4 million to support a statewide recruitment and relocation program for licensed healthcare professionals to address workforce shortages in rural communities, with a first-year goal of recruiting at least 125 licensed healthcare professionals. An additional award of nearly $2.4 million, being delivered through West Virginia’s Health to Prosperity initiative, will expand worksite clinics and employer-based healthcare services, bolstering preventive care, health screenings, chronic disease management, and other healthcare services closer to where they work. The Trump Administration is also making critical investments to upgrade medical transportation services and telehealth options. “President Trump understands that every American deserves high-quality healthcare, no matter where they live,” said Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. “We are putting resources directly into rural communities to strengthen the health workforce, modernize infrastructure, expand access, and bring care closer to home. We are giving states the flexibility to build solutions around the people they serve, while demanding accountability for results. That is how we strengthen rural health, improve the lives of patients and families, and Make America Healthy Again.” “President Trump made a historic commitment to rural America, and these investments are delivering on that promise by helping communities build a stronger, more accessible healthcare system,” said CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz . “Rural health transformation is about meeting patients where they are, strengthening the care they can access close to home and creating solutions that will make a lasting difference for families and communities across the country.” Today’s investment was made possible through the Working Families Tax Cuts Act—passed by Republicans in Congress and unanimously opposed by Democrats—delivering a historic $50 billion investment to help states transform the way healthcare is delivered in America. “President Trump’s Rural Health Transformation Program gives West Virginia a historic opportunity to improve healthcare outcomes and build a healthier state,” said Gov. Patrick Morrisey. “We are putting these resources to work recruiting healthcare professionals to rural communities, bringing care closer to home, and finding new ways to help West Virginians get healthy and stay healthy. I appreciate President Trump and his administration for giving states the flexibility to invest these resources where they can make the greatest difference.” “I’m proud that the Senate helped deliver the Rural Health Transformation Program through the Working Families Tax Cuts Act, securing a historic federal investment in rural health care,” Sen. Shelley Capito said. “Now, we’re seeing that investment put to work in West Virginia. This first $2.4 million award will help recruit and retain health care professionals in rural communities and nearly $2.4 million in additional awards will help expand worksite clinics and preventative care. Additional funding opportunities will also expand access to critical services, improve care navigation, and support older West Virginians. These investments will strengthen our rural health care workforce and help ensure West Virginians can get the high-quality care they need, closer to home.” "President Trump promised to deliver for rural America, and that’s exactly what he’s doing. This $4.8 million investment will help recruit and retain healthcare professionals in rural West Virginia, while new funding opportunities will expand services and bring quality care closer to home. The Rural Health Transformation Program is a big win for West Virginia families,” said Sen. Jim Justice. “I am so grateful to President Trump and his Administration for delivering nearly $4.8 million to strengthen our rural healthcare workforce and expand preventive care across West Virginia. This investment is vital for our rural communities, which make up so much of who we are as a state. I look forward to seeing real improvements in programs like home dialysis access and greater utilization of worksite clinics, both of which bring care close