Trump Administration Announces More Than $193 Million to Expand Preventive Care and Bring Specialty Care Closer to Rural Florida

Administration Rural health Share Trump Administration Announces More Than $193 Million to Expand Preventive Care and Bring Specialty Care Closer to Rural Florida This federal investment will expand telehealth, mobile health, and community paramedicine to bring preventive, specialty, and acute care closer to rural Floridians Today, the Trump Administration announced $193.7 million in Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) funding to 45 organizations across Florida to improve rural health across the state. This investment will help build regional capacity and expand options for rural Floridians to receive high-quality healthcare closer to home. This transformational funding will expand options for rural Floridians to receive preventive, specialty, and follow-up care in their communities. Florida’s approach uses telemedicine, remote patient monitoring, pharmacy-based services, diagnostic kiosks, and community paramedicine to give patients more ways to access needed care. Partnerships are a defining feature of Florida’s approach, with more than 500 partnerships across the 45 awardees bringing hospitals, clinics, local governments, and community organizations together to support statewide rural healthcare transformation. The Rural Health Transformation Program is expanding access to quality healthcare, regardless of a patient’s ZIP code, while equipping first responders with the lifesaving resources they need when every second counts. This funding will make critical investments to strengthen rural healthcare, expand access to lifesaving services, and bring modern technology to communities across Florida. “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 turning that commitment into better care for patients in communities across Florida,” saidCenters for Medicare & Medicaid Services Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz. “This is what rural health transformation should look like: federal investment that is putting patients first, driving lasting improvements and expanding healthcare for the hardworking Americans who call these communities home.” 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. “These investments will strengthen rural health care in Florida by expanding preventive and at-home services, increasing access to specialty care, and supporting hospitals and health care providers,” said Gov. Ron DeSantis. “This funding will help ensure rural Floridians have access to high-quality care closer to home.” “I’m very appreciative of what President Trump and Secretary Kennedy have done to help Americans in every environment live healthier, happier lives. We have to make every effort to ensure people in our rural areas get high quality, affordable, and accessible healthcare,” said Sen. Rick Scott. “The Administration has provided transformative resources across the entire state of Florida to help our rural communities provide the health care that Floridians need, to the tune of more than $193 million. Our health care system is broken, and I am working hand in hand with the CMS and this Administration to fix the system,” said Sen. Ashley Moody. “Here in Northwest Florida, folks shouldn’t have to drive hours to see a specialist or struggle to find the care they need. This historic $193 million investment, $81 million of which is going to Northwest Florida, will strengthen our rural hospitals and expand access to care close to home. I thank President Trump and his administration for prioritizing rural health care and ensuring Northwest Florida gets the support our communities deserve.” said Rep. Jimmy Patronis. “I am proud to have helped pass the Rural Health Transformation Program into law this Congress to strengthen rural healthcare and expand access to critical tools like telehealth. As a physician, I know how important it is for families to get the care they need close to home. Geography should never be a barrier to healthcare, and thanks to the work of CMS and the Administration, we’re making that goal a reality,” said Rep. Neal Dunn. “Where you live shouldn’t determine whether you can see a doctor. For too many families in North Central Florida, the nearest specialist is a long drive aw