The Rural Health Transformation Program Isn’t So Transformational

Rural health care systems have been in crisis for decades, a situation that will become more dire when steep cuts to Medicaid kick in next year.

These communities were seemingly offered a lifeline in 2025 — a $50 billion, five-year fund focused on establishing sustainable, high-quality care for rural Americans. But as states now start to spend the first tranche of money, the shortcomings of the hastily devised plan are becoming increasingly clear. That could turn a welcome investment into a missed opportunity.