CHARLESTON, WV (LOOTPRESS) – West Virginia will receive more than $202 million in federal funding to improve rural healthcare as part of a $10 billion nationwide investment announced Monday, November 9, by the Trump administration.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), announced that West Virginia has been awarded $202,081,355 for fiscal year 2027 through the Rural Health Transformation Program.
The funding represents the second year of a five-year, $50 billion federal initiative designed to improve healthcare access, strengthen rural hospitals and medical providers, address workforce shortages and modernize healthcare services in rural communities.
West Virginia previously received approximately $199 million for the program’s first year in 2026, bringing the state’s combined awards to more than $401 million over two years.
Gov. Patrick Morrisey announced the initial award in December 2025, describing the funding as an opportunity to improve healthcare access and outcomes across the state.
West Virginia’s rural healthcare transformation plan focuses on expanding primary and specialty care, recruiting and retaining healthcare workers, increasing telehealth availability and improving coordination among medical providers.
The state’s Department of Health is leading the initiative, which also seeks to address chronic health conditions, substance use disorders and other barriers that prevent residents from accessing healthcare and participating in the workforce.
The latest award comes as West Virginia continues implementing projects supported by its initial funding.
On October 30, federal officials announced more than $19 million in funding through 11 awards for healthcare initiatives across West Virginia. Those projects include expanded telehealth services, mobile medical units, nursing education and apprenticeship programs, remote patient monitoring and improved healthcare technology.
Other planned investments include mental health and addiction recovery services, medical supply delivery technology and systems allowing healthcare providers to exchange patient information more efficiently.
HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said the second round of funding will allow states to continue expanding healthcare services.
“President Trump made a historic investment in rural America, and HHS is putting those resources to work in every state,” Kennedy said.
“This next $10 billion will expand access to care, strengthen the rural health workforce, improve prevention, and help states build solutions that fit the needs of their own communities. We are giving rural America the resources and flexibility to build stronger health systems that deliver better care and better outcomes.”
CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz also emphasized the health disparities between rural and urban communities.
“Rural Americans have life expectancies three years shorter than their urban peers, but President Trump’s Rural Health Transformation Program is funding the historic investments necessary to close that gap,” Oz said.
West Virginia’s second-year award is larger than those announced for several neighboring states, including Virginia, which will receive approximately $195.7 million; Pennsylvania, approximately $190.7 million; Maryland, approximately $168.4 million; and Ohio, approximately $201.9 million.
Kentucky will receive approximately $211.3 million.
The program was established through federal legislation approved by Republicans in Congress and opposed by Democrats. It provides $10 billion annually to states from fiscal years 2026 through 2030.
Under the funding formula, half of the annual allocation is divided equally among the 50 states, providing each with $100 million. The remaining funding is distributed based on factors including rural population characteristics, healthcare needs, state initiatives and progress toward implementing approved plans.
Federal officials said all 50 states submitted annual progress reports that were reviewed before the second-year awards were determined.
The program is intended to support long-term changes to rural healthcare systems rather than simply provide short-term operating assistance to hospitals. Funding can support hospitals, clinics, emergency medical services, behavioral health providers, workforce development and technology improvements.
States must continue reporting their progress to CMS, and future annual awards may increase or decrease depending on program requirements and implementation results.
With Monday’s announcement, the federal government has awarded $20 billion nationwide through the program, with another $30 billion scheduled for distribution over the remaining three years.
States must spend the program’s funding by September 30, 2032, or return unspent money to the federal government.
