ODH director outlines priorities for Ohio’s Rural Health Transformation Program funding

Ohio Department of Health Director Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff laid out plans this week for a $202 million federal award aimed at rural health, following federal Medicaid cuts that will cost Ohio $33 billion over 10 years (Source: “Amid drastic Medicaid cuts, Ohio Department of Health director lays out rural program funding plans,” Ohio Capital Journal, Feb. 27).
 
During overall budget testimony in the Ohio House Health Committee, Vanderhoff spelled out priorities for the money awarded to the state through the Rural Health Transformation Program.
 
The biggest pot of money received through the fund is $92 million, to be used for Rural Health Innovation Hubs and Clinically Integrated Networks, according to Vanderhoff. Ohio’s program of rural school-based health centers would also get $21.1 million from the funds, and $13.5 million will go toward workforce programs, according to Vanderhoff.
 
The Federal Medicaid funding cuts are expected to disproportionately impact rural hospitals.
 
In January, HPIO released a policy explainer on Rural Health Transformation Program funding in Ohio.