State Reps. Craig, Deeter Applaud $92 Million Investment in Healthcare Expansion for Rural Ohioans

October 20, 2026

COLUMBUS – State Representatives Meredith Craig (R-Smithville) and Kellie Deeter (R-Norwalk) are 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.

Craig and Deeter, co-chairs of 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.

“I’m proud to have advocated for our independent rural hospitals and helped secure these funds to address the growing burden of uncompensated care,” said Rep. Craig. “Wooster Community Hospital will receive $1.3 million through Ohio’s Rural Health Transformation Program, strengthening a vital healthcare resource for Wayne County families.”

“I’m very proud of the hard work of all parties involved in securing this funding. Ohio’s rural hospitals will benefit greatly,” said Deeter. “I am especially proud to help my constituents in District 54 with the $1.3 million direct investment to the Fischer-Titus medical center here in Norwalk.”

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

$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, led by Craig and Deeter, specifically advocated for the one-time investment awards to go to rural independent hospitals.

The following hospitals were each awarded $1.3 million through the grant:

Ashtabula County Medical Center in Ashtabula
Blanchard Valley Regional Health Center in Findlay (Hancock County)
Community Hospital of Williams County in Archbold
Coshocton Regional Medical Center in Coshocton (Coshocton County)
East Liverpool City Hospitals in East Liverpool (Columbiana County)
Fisher-Titus Medical Center in Norwalk (Huron County)
Holzer Medical Center in Gallipolis (Gallia County)
Joint Township District Memorial Hospital in St. Marys (Auglaize County)
Knox Community Hospital in Mt. Vernon (Knox County)
Marion General Hospital in Marion (Marion County)
Mary Rutan Hospital in Bellefontaine (Logan County)
Memorial Hospital in Fremont (Sandusky County)
Mercer County Community Hospital in Coldwater
O’Bleness Memorial Hospital in Athens (Athens County)
Pomerene Hospital in Millersburg (Holmes County)
Salem Community Hospital in Salem (Columbiana County)
Sojourn at Seneca in Tiffin (Seneca County)
Southeastern Ohio Regional Medical Center in Cambridge (Guernsey County)
TriHealth Clinton Regional Hospital in Wilmington (Clinton County)
Van Wert County Hospital in Van Wert
Wilson Memorial Hospital in Sidney (Shelby County)
Wooster Community Hospital in Wooster (Wayne County)
To learn more about the details of this announcement, click here.