The New York State Department of Health has announced that the state will receive over $212 million in federal funding for 2026 to support improvements in rural health care. The funds come from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) as part of the Rural Health Transformation Program.
According to State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald, “All New Yorkers deserve the right to have access to critical health care services, regardless of where they live. The State Department of Health remains committed to strengthening rural health care through innovative and strategic investments that will build a resilient and sustainable foundation of health care that will benefit New Yorkers for generations to come.”
The department plans to work with CMS to finalize details of the cooperative agreement before releasing more information about how resources will be allocated. The distribution process is designed to address the specific needs of rural populations, with input from providers, tribal and faith-based organizations, local leaders, and community members.
New York’s Rural Health Transformation Plan was developed with input from nearly 170 stakeholder organizations and community providers. It features four main initiatives aimed at improving health outcomes in rural areas.
Further details on New York’s Rural Health Transformation Program are available online.
