Kentucky has secured $212.9 million in federal funding to tackle major health care challenges in rural communities statewide.
Gov. Andy Beshear announced Monday that the Trump administration fully approved Kentucky’s Rural Health Transformation Plan. Congress authorized the funding in 2025, and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services will distribute it over five years to help offset recent federal cuts and strengthen rural health care systems.
“Health care is a basic human right, and it was a priority for me and my administration to submit this application and fight for funding to support our rural health communities — especially following the passage of devastating Medicaid cuts,” Beshear said.
The Beshear administration developed the plan in partnership with health organizations across the state, focusing on Kentucky’s most urgent rural health needs.
Kentucky continues to face serious health disparities compared to national averages. About 17% of residents live with multiple chronic conditions, compared with 11% nationwide. Nearly one in six Kentucky women of childbearing age live in maternity care deserts, more than four times the national average, according to a news release from Beshear’s office.
Rural areas also struggle with long-standing shortages of mental health professionals, increasing pressure on emergency departments and first responders. Appalachian counties report some of the lowest dental visit rates and the highest rates of complete tooth loss among seniors. Nearly half of Kentucky’s paramedics work in the state’s five largest counties, limiting access in rural regions.
“Our Rural Health Transformation Plan reflects the best of Team Kentucky,” said Cabinet for Health and Family Services Secretary Dr. Steven Stack.
The Kentucky Department for Public Health will lead the plan’s implementation, working alongside partners throughout the commonwealth.
The funding will support five integrated care innovation models:
Rural Community Hubs for Chronic Care Innovation will establish hub-and-spoke systems focused on preventing and managing obesity and diabetes, combining nutrition, physical activity, and digital self-management tools.
PoWERing Maternal and Infant Health will expand prenatal and postpartum care through telehealth-enabled, community-based maternal care teams in maternity care deserts and high-risk areas.
Rapid Response to Recovery will deliver mobile crisis response, telepsychiatry, and stabilization services that connect individuals to community-based behavioral health and recovery resources.
Rooted in Health: Rural Dental Access will grow dental hygiene training, externships, and portable or tele-dental clinics to improve preventive oral health services.
Crisis to Care: Integrated EMS Response will strengthen pre-hospital care and trauma coordination through treat-in-place protocols, workforce training, and improved data connectivity.
“Team Kentucky’s rural communities are the heart of our commonwealth,” said Kentucky Department for Public Health Commissioner Dr. John Langefeld.
More than 100 stakeholders across the state contributed to the application process. Kentucky also worked with partners including the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky, the Kentucky Primary Care Association, the Kentucky Hospital Association, and the Kentucky Office of Rural Health.
“We’ve worked for years to tackle some of Kentucky’s toughest health challenges, and we’re inspired and energized to see a unified, statewide plan that brings innovation, investment, and hope to our rural communities,” said Allison Adams, president and CEO of the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky.
“Kentucky’s Rural Health Transformation initiative reflects a simple truth community health centers have always embraced: lasting change begins locally,” said Molly Lewis, CEO of the Kentucky Primary Care Association.
“The Kentucky Hospital Association was pleased to work with the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to help develop Kentucky’s application for the Rural Health Transformation Program,” said Nancy Galvagni, president and CEO of the Kentucky Hospital Association.
“Health care access improves health outcomes. It improves lives and saves lives,” said Dr. Jason Smith, CEO of University of Louisville Health.
Mark D. Birdwhistell, senior vice president for health and public policy at the University of Kentucky, said the university welcomed CMS’s award notice tied to the Rural Health Transformation Program.
The Rural Health Transformation application process began in September 2025, with awards announced Dec. 29. The program provides $50 billion nationwide over five fiscal years from 2026 through 2030.
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