State Rep. Ritter Applauds $92 Million Investment in Healthcare Expansion for Rural Ohioans

State Representative Kevin Ritter (R-Marietta) is pleased to share that Governor DeWine recently announced $92 million in awards through the Rural Health Transformation Program to expand access to quality healthcare in rural Ohio.

“The Rural Health Transformation Fund represents an opportunity to shift the rural networks toward more sustainable and long-term paths so that healthcare is more available and continues to serve our rural communities into the future,” said Ritter.

The House Rural Hospital Caucus reinforced that rural independent hospitals are vital to the communities they serve – providing emergency care, employment opportunities, and overall community well-being. This funding will help rural hospitals manage chronic illnesses and expand access to preventive, primary, maternal, and behavioral healthcare. 

The initial $92 million in awards, administered by the Ohio Department of Health (ODH), includes:

• $31.4 million to establish or expand Clinically Integrated Networks (CIN) and Rural Health Innovation Hubs
• $30.3 million to improve maternal care
• $30.3 million in one-time investments to 22 rural hospitals

The Rural Health Transformation Fund was created as a portion of the One Big Beautiful Bill that President Trump signed in July 2025. The House Rural Hospital Caucus specifically advocated for the one-time investment awards to go to rural independent hospitals. 

To learn more about the details of this announcement, click here.