State Rep. Craig announces $200 million in rural health funding

State Rep. Meredith Craig (R-Smithville) announced the Ohio Controlling Board approved more than $200 million in federal grant funding through the first year of the Rural Health Transformation Fund.

The federal funding, approved April 6, benefits rural hospitals and providers, allocates additional funding for new and expanded rural maternity units, and provides financial assistance to rural independent hospitals.

Funding secured through the federal fund will support the following initiatives:

—$92 million for Ohio rural health innovation hubs/clinically integrated networks.

—$21.2 million for Ohio rural school-based health centers.

—$25 million for OhioSEE rural expansion.

—$1 million for rural hospital training and technical assistance centers.

—$12.5 million for rural health workforce pipeline and development projects.

—$16.7 million for healthier Ohio initiatives.

—$12 million for rural Ohio emergency care/EMS transformation.

—$3.5 million for electronic medical records access for pharmacies.

—$7 million for rural maternal and child health.

—$9 million for rural health equipment and supplies.

—$2.1 million for rural health program implementation.

Members of the House Rural Hospital Caucus, led by Reps. Kellie Deeter and Craig, 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 address rising operational costs, shrinking reimbursements and other fiscal challenges that have placed unprecedented strain on rural health care infrastructure.

“I’m proud to support Ohio’s utilization of these dollars and to help secure a direct investment for Wooster Community Hospital, which plays a vital role in serving families across our county and region,” Craig said. “As these funds are distributed, we must prioritize independent rural hospitals that are on the front lines of care in our communities. But this can’t be a one-time conversation. Protecting rural health care long-term will take ongoing dialogue, smart policy decisions and a strong commitment to the patients who rely on it every day.”

The Rural Health Transformation Fund was created as a portion of the One Big Beautiful Bill that President Donald Trump signed July 4, 2025.