New Hampshire has been awarded over $204 million in federal funding aimed at enhancing rural health care access and quality throughout the state. The funding is part of the Rural Health Transformation Program, which was announced on March 15, 2024, by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. This initiative is part of a broader $50 billion allocation designed to address persistent gaps in health care delivery across rural America.
Governor Kelly Ayotte expressed her appreciation for the collaborative efforts that led to the successful application for these funds. “We did this the New Hampshire way — with input from our providers, community health and mental health centers, other rural health stakeholders, and feedback from Granite Staters, and the hard work paid off,” she stated. Ayotte emphasized that this funding marks the start of a significant initiative to improve access to affordable and high-quality health care for those in rural communities.
In its funding application, New Hampshire requested $200 million annually over the program’s five-year duration. The state achieved the highest funding level among its New England peers, with Vermont receiving $195 million, Massachusetts $162 million, Connecticut approximately $154 million, and Rhode Island about $156 million.
The focus of the funding will be to expand behavioral and mental health services in rural areas, strengthen chronic disease management, and address access issues, particularly in northern New Hampshire. Residents in these regions often face challenges due to limited transportation options, making it difficult to reach hospitals and emergency services.
Planning for the program is already underway, with the first round of investments anticipated to begin in 2026. Initial efforts will target support for rural health care providers and the communities they serve, ensuring a more robust health care framework in New Hampshire.
“It was important that the Department hear from as many stakeholders as possible as we worked to transform rural health care delivery in New Hampshire,” said Lori Weaver, the state Department of Health and Human Services commissioner. She expressed gratitude for the input from over 300 stakeholders, which included hospitals, rural health providers, community health centers, and members of the public.
The program’s priorities were shaped through this extensive feedback, indicating a strong commitment to collaboration in enhancing health care services across the state. As New Hampshire prepares to implement these plans, the focus will remain on improving health outcomes for residents in rural communities, ensuring they receive the care they need closer to home.
