OLYMPIA — The State of Washington has submitted an application for $1 billion in federal funding to transform rural health care across the state’s 29 rural counties over the next five years.
Governor Bob Ferguson announced the state’s proposal for the federal Rural Health Transformation Program, which would provide $200 million annually from 2026 to 2030. The bipartisan plan would secure hospital infrastructure improvements, technology upgrades, maternal health care support and new medical facilities. Ferguson has pledged to dedicate 10% of any awarded funding to Indian health care providers, who serve both Native and non-Native patients in the state’s most remote areas.
The funding would benefit more than 1 million Washingtonians who live in the state’s rural counties, which face ongoing challenges accessing quality health care services.
“Rural Washington boasts strong communities, robust agriculture and some of the most beautiful landscapes in the world,” Ferguson said. “In order to sustain this way of life, we must support a strong rural health care system. Our bipartisan plan will help modernize and strengthen this crucial resource.”
The Washington State Health Care Authority led development of the proposal with input from nearly 300 stakeholders, including tribal consultation sessions and legislative collaboration.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services will approve or deny applications by Dec. 31, 2025.
The federal program offers $10 billion annually nationwide to support rural health system improvements, including increasing clinician recruitment, strengthening hospital partnerships and implementing new technologies focused on prevention and chronic disease management.
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