Trump Administration Announces More Than $233 Million to Improve Rural Healthcare Services Across California
This federal investment will support primary, maternal, specialty, and behavioral healthcare across rural California while growing the healthcare workforce and modernizing technology
Today, the Trump Administration announced more than $233 million in Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) funding to improve healthcare access across California. This investment will help rural providers deliver and coordinate care locally through regional care networks, telehealth, workforce development, and upgraded healthcare technology. California has committed its full fiscal year 2026 funding — more than $233 million — to improve healthcare in rural communities across the state.
This transformational investment will help rural Californians receive more primary, maternal, specialty, and behavioral healthcare in their communities. Regional care networks and telehealth will connect patients with providers and help coordinate care, while partnerships with midwives, doulas, and community health workers will support maternal and primary care. Investments will also support education and training pathways to grow the rural healthcare workforce, improve technology, and modernize infrastructure — helping providers deliver expanded care locally.
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 California.
“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 California,” said Centers 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.
“Rural communities across Northern California have struggled for far too long to get the quality healthcare they deserve,” said Rep. James Gallagher. “This $233.6 million investment is a big step toward strengthening our rural hospitals and bringing healthcare closer to home. Families in the North State shouldn’t have to drive hours just to see a doctor. Thanks to the Working Families Tax Cut Act, we’ve committed $50 billion to rural healthcare nationwide, and we’re starting to put those dollars to work. For too long, rural communities have been asked to do more with less. It’s time we changed that, and this funding is a good start.”
“Delivering health care across the rural counties in my district has always presented unique challenges,” said Rep. Kevin Kiley. “The $233 million in funding for California, brought as a result of legislation I supported in the House, will help bridge the rugged terrain and great distances of the Sierras and provide critical health care for residents and visitors alike.”
“The Rural Health Transformation Program is a historic $50 billion investment from the Working Families Tax Cuts Act, with $233.6 million coming directly to California with significant investments coming to Kern, Kings, Fresno, and Tulare counties. These dollars will strengthen our healthcare workforce, expand telehealth access, improve lifesaving technologies, and build regional care networks so families in communities throughout CA-20 can get the care they deserve close to home. Rural communities must be prioritized and this funding provides that. I am proud to have fought for this investment, and I am grateful to President Trump for delivering on his commitment for rural communities in California and across our nation,” said Rep. Vince Fong.
“The Working Families Tax Cuts are already delivering for our communities, and this $233.6 million in Rural Health Transformation Program funding is a critical step toward improving California’s healthcare system,” said Rep. David Valadao. “This funding will strengthen our rural and underserved hospitals by expanding access to maternity and specialty care, supporting and retaining the vital healthcare workforce, and helping to bring care closer to home for all Central Valley families. I was proud to support this legislation and look forward to seeing these investments build healthier communities throughout the state.”
“Rural healthcare providers in my district and across California face persistent challenges in recruiting and retaining medical professionals, maintaining access to specialty care, and coordinating services across healthcare systems,” said Rep. Jay Obernolte. “This $233.6 million federal investment will help strengthen rural healthcare delivery by expanding workforce capacity, supporting virtual health and remote patient monitoring, and improving coordination between rural facilities and larger healthcare networks. These investments are critical to building a more sustainable rural healthcare infrastructure and improving access to timely, coordinated care for patients.”
“No Californian should have to travel hours or face long wait times just to see a doctor,” said Rep. Young Kim. “For too many rural families, access to quality, affordable health care remains out of reach. This $233.6 million investment will help strengthen rural hospitals and clinics, expand telehealth and mental health services, and give health care providers the tools and resources they need to better serve their communities. I’m pleased to see this funding help close gaps in care and ensure more California families can get the care they need, closer to home.”
“The $233.6 million in Rural Health Transformation Program funding coming to California will help support the delivery of health care in rural communities across the state, including Riverside County. I fully support the ongoing efforts by the Trump Administration and CMS to provide health care solutions that lower costs and increase access to care across the country, including rural communities,” said Rep. Ken Calvert.
Today’s announcement highlights the overall funding amount awarded to California 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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