Trump Administration Announces $54.6 Million to Fight Chronic Disease, Expand Maternal Healthcare Services, and Build Arkansas’ Rural Health Workforce

Administration Rural health Share Trump Administration Announces $54.6 Million to Fight Chronic Disease, Expand Maternal Healthcare Services, and Build Arkansas’ Rural Health Workforce This federal investment will support 54 projects including mobile preventive screenings, physical activity programs, rural residency and clinical training programs, and new healthcare workforce pipelines across Arkansas The Trump Administration announced today that a $54.6 million investment is being delivered to recruit, train, and retain Arkansas’ rural healthcare workforce, expand maternal healthcare services, and help fight chronic disease in the state through the federal Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP). Supporting 54 projects across rural communities in Arkansas, $27.4 of this funding, will support 30 projects focused on community-based nutrition, physical activity, preventive care, and chronic disease management. An additional $27.2 million will support 24 projects focused on recruiting, training, and retaining the rural healthcare workforce. Project outlines include mobile preventive screenings; new rural residency and clinical training programs; and expanded EMT, nursing, maternal health, and behavioral health workforce development. These investments build on the Administration’s $149.3 million previously announced to expand telehealth and specialty care, modernize rural healthcare technology and infrastructure, and strengthen emergency and preventive services across Arkansas “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.” “Every state knows best what its rural communities need, and thanks to President Trump’s Rural Health Transformation Program, they now have the resources to meet those needs,” said CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz. “As states put these resources to work, we’re focused on turning these investments into meaningful, sustainable improvements for the health systems that serve rural Arkansans.” 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. “Transforming rural health care starts long before a patient walks through the hospital doors,” said Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders. “Thanks to President Trump’s One, Big, Beautiful Bill, we’re strengthening rural health care from the ground up – building healthier communities, growing our health care workforce, and giving providers the tools they need to better serve their patients. These projects will help Arkansans live healthier lives and build a stronger rural health care system for generations to come.” “This investment is great news for Arkansans and the communities that will benefit from efforts to elevate and emphasize quality medical care close to home. By supporting initiatives focused on preventing and managing chronic diseases as well as bolstering the healthcare workforce, this funding will help address the unique challenges facing rural communities. I’m pleased to see these resources going toward improving the health and well-being of Arkansans and ensuring our rural communities are better positioned to provide care and treatment for years to come,” said Sen. John Boozman. “The Republican-led Rural Health Transformation Program will invest an additional $54 million this year to support healthcare initiatives across rural Arkansas. I was proud to vote to create this program and will continue working with our congressional delegation, the administration, and Governor Sanders to ensure every Arkansan has access to high-quality healthcare,” said Sen. Tom Cotton. “The announcement of more than $54 million through the Rural Health Transformation Program is an important step toward addressing longstanding healthcare challenges in rural Arkansas. Many communities across the Delta, the Ozarks, and our foothills continue to face significant barriers, including financial hardship and long driving distances to access care. This crucial investment, delivered through the intentional focus and commitment of Republican leadership to our state's most vulnerable areas, will strengthen rural health systems, help with retention of rural healthcare workers, and support preventive care and disease management. This is meaningful help towards ensuring rural families receive the quality healthcare they deserve,” said Rep. Eri