Trump Administration Announces More Than $19 Million to Expand Telehealth, Specialty Care, and the Healthcare Workforce Across West Virginia
This federal investment will support mobile health services, improve chronic disease management and care coordination, and modernize healthcare technology and data systems for rural West Virginians
Today, the Trump Administration announced more than $19 million in Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) funding through 11 awards to strengthen and modernize healthcare delivery throughout rural West Virginia. This investment will expand access to virtual and specialty care, support mobile health services and chronic disease management, grow the rural healthcare workforce, and modernize technology and health data systems across the state.
This transformational funding will put new tools and services to work across rural West Virginia, including mobile health units and drone delivery for time-critical medical supplies; remote eye care and patient monitoring technology; nursing education and apprenticeship programs; and secure systems that allow healthcare providers to better share information. Investments will also support mental health and substance use disorder recovery services and tools that reduce administrative burden for healthcare professionals.
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 West Virginia.
“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.”
“Rural Americans have life expectancies three years shorter than their urban peers, but thanks to President Trump’s Rural Health Transformation Program, states are now making the investments necessary to close that gap,” said Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz. “West Virginia’s rural communities are already feeling the impact of these grants, and CMS will continue working with state leaders to ensure that RHTP funds drive real improvements in quality, access, and sustainability over the remaining four years of the program.”
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.
“The Rural Health Transformation Program provides West Virginia with an unprecedented opportunity to improve healthcare outcomes by investing in prevention, technology, and better access to care. The close to $200 million in funding commitments by October 31 will help bring healthcare services closer to rural communities, strengthen our healthcare workforce, and give providers the tools they need to better serve patients. I want to thank President Trump, Secretary Kennedy, and Dr. Oz for their partnership as we implement this program across West Virginia. This investment will help more West Virginians live healthier lives, return to the workforce, and stay on the job. That's how we build a healthier, more prosperous West Virginia,” said Gov. Patrick Morrisey.
“I’m proud that the Senate delivered the Rural Health Transformation Program through the Working Families Tax Cuts Act, securing a historic federal investment in rural health care,” said Sen. Shelley Moore Capito. “Now, we’re seeing the start of investment put to work in West Virginia. This $19 million in funding will deliver access to care efforts, care coordination, innovative technology, and workforce development. These investments will strengthen our rural health care and ensure West Virginians get the high-quality care they need, closer to home.”
“I’ve said it time and time again: where you live should never determine the quality of healthcare you receive. Our rural hospitals and healthcare workers are the lifeblood of so many West Virginia communities, and we absolutely cannot afford to leave them behind. That’s why this more than $19 million investment is such a big deal. We’re talking about expanding access to virtual care, specialists, and preventive services, putting better technology in the hands of our healthcare workers, and modernizing the way we deliver care across our state. President Trump made a commitment to rural America, and he’s backing it up with real investments that will make a difference in the lives of West Virginians,” said Sen. Jim Justice.
“I am thrilled to see more than $19 million from the Rural Health Transformation Program being invested right here in West Virginia. In our state, we understand just how important access to quality, lifesaving healthcare is for rural communities. I have worked tirelessly in Congress to ensure every West Virginian can receive the care they deserve, regardless of their zip code. This funding will help modernize our rural healthcare facilities by expanding access to specialty and virtual care, while investing in new technology and strengthening our healthcare workforce. These investments will make a real difference for patients and families across our state. I look forward to seeing our rural hospitals and healthcare providers use these resources to build a stronger and healthier future for West Virginia,” said Rep. Carol Miller.
“West Virginia’s rural communities deserve access to quality healthcare, no matter their ZIP code. This funding will help modernize and expand access to critical services like telehealth, strengthen our rural healthcare workforce, and modernize the technology needed to deliver better care. I will never stop fighting to ensure West Virginians have the resources they need to build healthier communities,” said Rep. Riley Moore.
Today’s announcement is one part of the larger overall funding amount awarded to West Virginia for fiscal year 2026.
Key initiatives the overall RHTP funding will focus on include:
- Building the rural healthcare workforce: Supporting recruitment, training, and retention strategies to strengthen the pipeline of healthcare professionals serving rural communities.
- Strengthening rural facilities and access: Supporting partnerships, operational improvements, and care-delivery changes that help rural providers maintain essential services and improve access.
- Advancing innovative care and payment models: Supporting new approaches to delivery and financing designed to improve quality, strengthen primary care, and support sustainable rural healthcare.
- Expanding community-based and preventive care: Investing in school-based care, mobile services,and other community strategies that improve prevention, address chronic disease, and expand access to care.
- Modernizing rural healthcare technology: Expanding remote care and data-driven tools to improve coordination and extend healthcare services to rural communities.
The Trump Administration is delivering on its commitment to strengthen rural America by investing in solutions that modernize technology to promote health and well-being for rural communities. Led by CMS, the RHTP is moving beyond the failed one-size-fits-all approach and giving rural communities the tools to build stronger, more innovative, and more sustainable health systems that deliver better care and better outcomes for the Americans they serve.
For more information about the RHTP, visit: https://www.medicaid.gov/resources-for-states/rural-health.
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