State Rep. Pizzulli Applauds $92 Million Investment in Healthcare Expansion for Rural Ohioans
State Representative Justin Pizzulli (R-Scioto County) 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.
“Our rural hospitals are a big part of what keeps our communities going. This funding is an opportunity to help them improve services, invest in their facilities, and continue taking care of people right here at home. We need to make sure rural Ohio isn’t left behind when it comes to health care,” said Pizzulli.
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
Investments in maternal care and Health Innovation Hubs will help to address crucial care needs in Southeastern Ohio. This will boost accessibility across the Appalachian region, helping rural hospitals provide quality patient care to more Ohioans in the community.
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.