West Virginia has been awarded $202,081,355 in second-year federal rural health funding, bringing its total for two years to more than $401 million, according to a November 9 announcement from the governor’s office.
The Rural Health Transformation Program supports projects across all 55 counties. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced the new award, which is about $2.6 million higher than the state’s first-year allocation of $199.5 million.
“This additional $202 million will help us expand access to care, strengthen rural hospitals, and address the chronic health challenges facing West Virginia,” Governor Patrick Morrisey said in the release.
All of the first-year funding has been committed through 145 signed awards and agreements, the governor’s office said. Those agreements were completed before the October 30 federal deadline. Recipients pledged another $21.9 million in cash and in-kind matching contributions.
The state has until September 30, 2027, to spend the first-year money. Projects also must show how they can continue beyond the five-year federal program.
The governor’s office said projects underway include restoring maternal healthcare services, expanding mobile clinics and telehealth, adding diagnostic and monitoring technology and improving prevention and treatment of chronic diseases such as diabetes.
Earlier awards included funding for an AI note-taking tool at Stonewall Jackson Memorial Hospital in Weston and a telehealth pilot at Broaddus Hospital in Philippi, as My Buckhannon reported in October.
The state Department of Health is overseeing implementation, including project milestones, spending and health outcomes. Awards carry budget reviews, performance requirements and federal cost rules, according to the release.
The federal program makes $10 billion available annually for five years to improve rural healthcare across all 50 states. A state’s progress carrying out its approved plan helps determine its awards.
Community Bulletin
Women's health care is available close to home at four central West Virginia clinics through Vandalia Health — the not-for-profit founded by the Davis family more than a century ago, whose Foundation still funds local scholarships and programs. Read more →
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