(COLUMBUS) - More than $200 million in federal funding is now moving to rural hospitals across Ohio after emergency approval from the Ohio Controlling Board.
The first-year money from the Rural Health Transformation Fund is aimed at stabilizing rural medical systems through staffing support, infrastructure upgrades, telehealth expansion and direct help for independent hospitals facing financial strain.
A major focus of the package is rural maternity care, including money for new and expanded maternity units as well as maternal and child health services. The approved funding also includes support for emergency medical services transformation, workforce pipeline development, equipment and supplies, and school-based health centers.
The largest single allocation is $92 million for rural health innovation hubs and clinically integrated networks, with additional funding spread across workforce, EMS, pharmacy records access and hospital technical assistance.
State officials say the emergency action allows the money to be released immediately rather than waiting on a longer legislative timetable, speeding relief to hospitals that have faced rising costs, staffing shortages and service reductions.