Sandusky, Ohio – Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Dr. Mehmet Oz, administrator of the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), have announced $92 million in Rural Health Transformation Program funding to improve healthcare services in rural communities throughout Ohio.
The investments will support hospitals, strengthen cooperation between healthcare providers and expand access to medical services that many rural residents struggle to obtain close to home.
The funding will focus on managing chronic diseases while improving preventive care, primary healthcare, maternal services and behavioral health treatment.
“These investments will transform healthcare in rural Ohio,” said Governor DeWine. “We are grateful to Dr. Oz, CMS, and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for standing up this important program and partnering with us to ensure that all Ohioans, regardless of where they live, have access to the care they need.”
Dr. Oz also welcomed the announcement and highlighted the importance of cooperation between federal, state and local officials.
“Thanks to the Trump Administration’s Rural Health Transformation Program, we’re proud to work with state and local partners to turn bold ideas into lasting improvements for rural communities like those here in Ohio,” said CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz. “I want to thank Governor DeWine for his leadership in bringing local leaders and health care providers together to build stronger partnerships. Together, we can Make America Healthy Again.”
The Ohio Department of Health will oversee the awards, which are divided among several major healthcare priorities.
According to the announcement, $31.4 million will support Clinically Integrated Networks and Rural Health Innovation Hubs, while $30.3 million will go toward improving maternal healthcare. Another $30.3 million will provide one-time investments to 22 rural hospitals.
Twenty-two rural hospitals to receive funding for medical improvements
One major part of the initiative involves providing direct financial support to rural hospitals that need additional resources to improve patient care.
Each of the 22 selected hospitals will receive a one-time award of $1,377,479 for specific projects designed to improve healthcare quality.
Some hospitals plan to use the money to establish behavioral health units that can provide mental health services and treatment for substance use disorders.
Others will invest in on-site MRI equipment or expand diagnostic services in communities where patients currently face limited options or long waiting periods.
These improvements are intended to reduce the need for rural residents to travel considerable distances for medical appointments, tests and treatment.
Hospitals selected for funding include Ashtabula County Medical Center, Blanchard Valley Regional Health Center in Findlay, Community Hospital of Williams County in Archbold, Coshocton Regional Medical Center and East Liverpool City Hospitals.
Other recipients include Fisher-Titus Medical Center in Norwalk, Holzer Medical Center in Gallipolis, Joint Township District Memorial Hospital in St. Marys, Knox Community Hospital in Mt. Vernon, Marion General Hospital and Mary Rutan Hospital in Bellefontaine.
Additional awards will support Memorial Hospital in Fremont, Mercer County Community Hospital in Coldwater, O’Bleness Memorial Hospital in Athens, Pomerene Hospital in Millersburg and Salem Community Hospital.
The remaining recipients are Sojourn at Seneca in Tiffin, Southeastern Ohio Regional Medical Center in Cambridge, TriHealth Clinton Regional Hospital in Wilmington, Van Wert County Hospital, Wilson Memorial Hospital in Sidney and Wooster Community Hospital.
Ohio Department of Health Director Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff said improving coordination between providers is another important part of the program.
“Our goal is to provide the best and most timely patient care as close to home as possible, and to create networks that effectively coordinate quality preventive and follow-up care, all of which are essential for the best patient care,” said ODH Director Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff.
Healthcare networks will connect hospitals and medical providers
The Rural Health Transformation Program will also support Clinically Integrated Networks, commonly known as CINs, and Rural Health Innovation Hubs.
These groups bring together hospitals, doctors, clinics, emergency medical services, pharmacists, behavioral health providers, colleges and community organizations.
By working together, participating organizations aim to improve communication, strengthen preventive services and help patients receive appropriate follow-up care without unnecessary delays.
The funding is also intended to help providers develop healthcare systems that deliver better services while keeping costs reasonable.
The announcement took place at Firelands Regional Medical Center in Sandusky, which belongs to the Ohio High Value Network.
That network is among the organizations selected for funding and will receive $24,980,798 under the network awards listed in the announcement.
“This award recognizes what independent rural hospitals can accomplish when we work together,” said Jeremy Normington-Slay, Vice Chair, Ohio High Value Network, and President and CEO, Firelands Health. “Through the Ohio High Value Network, nearly 3 million rural Ohioans will benefit from coordinated care that is stronger than any one of us could deliver alone. We are grateful to CMS and the State of Ohio for their partnership and their confidence in our approach.”
Other listed network awardees include Beavercreek Medical Center at $15,470,879, the Ohio Association of Community Health Centers at $10,406,623 and the Child & Family Health Collaborative of Ohio at $6,709,515.
The Ohio State Health Network is listed for $3,401,944, University Hospitals Health System for $725,702 and Mercy Health’s St. Rita’s Medical Center in Lima for $325,005.
Maternal healthcare improvements will help pregnant women and newborns
Another major focus of the funding is improving healthcare for mothers and babies in rural communities.
Six organizations have been selected for awards supporting prenatal care, medical services following childbirth and other maternal healthcare needs.
Some of the money will help establish mobile prenatal care services, allowing medical teams to reach pregnant women who may have difficulty traveling to healthcare facilities.
Other projects will expand virtual specialty care and increase the ability of rural hospitals to care for premature babies and newborns with complex medical needs.
The Ohio High Value Network is listed as receiving $24,952,221 for maternal care improvements, while the Ohio Health Institute will receive $3,630,000.
Additional recipients include the Ohio State Health Network at $2,084,117, the Ohio Association of Community Health Centers at $1,836,462, Beavercreek Medical Center at $1,427,200 and Mercy Health’s St. Rita’s Medical Center at $50,000.
The goal is to make important medical services available closer to where families live, particularly in communities where specialized care may be difficult to access.
Latest awards build on earlier rural healthcare investments
The new announcement follows previous funding provided to Ohio through the federal Rural Health Transformation Program.
In December 2025, DeWine announced that the state had been awarded more than $200 million through the initiative.
Since then, the governor has announced additional investments aimed at addressing specific problems affecting rural healthcare.
One earlier award provided $10 million to Ohio University to support improvements to the rural healthcare workforce.
Another round directed $3.15 million toward expanding pharmacy connectivity in rural areas.
The latest $92 million announcement continues that effort by directing resources toward hospitals, healthcare networks and maternal services.
State officials expect the investments to help rural healthcare providers strengthen their services, improve coordination and make essential treatment more accessible to Ohio residents.
The broader aim is to ensure that people living outside major cities have better opportunities to receive timely medical attention without having to leave their communities for every healthcare need.
