Southern Illinois Congressman Mike Bost is applauding the announcement of more than $190 million in federal funding aimed at strengthening rural healthcare systems across Illinois.
The funding, announced Monday by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, is being awarded through the Rural Health Transformation Program, which was established under federal legislation Bost supported last year.
According to Bost, the funding is intended to improve healthcare services in rural communities while helping address workforce shortages in underserved areas.
“The Rural Health Transformation Fund is a lifeline for Southern Illinois’ rural communities, improving patient services closer to home and providing additional support for our healthcare workers,” Bost said.
The Republican congressman also credited President Trump’s Working Families Tax Cuts law for establishing the program, saying investments are needed to maintain rural hospitals and support families’ healthcare needs.
The Rural Health Transformation Program is designed to distribute $50 billion nationwide over five years, with $10 billion awarded annually through fiscal year 2030.
According to Bost’s announcement, the latest allocation brings Illinois’ total funding awards under the program to approximately $384 million over two years.
Federal records confirm Illinois received $190,458,454 in its second-year award, following $193,418,216 in first-year funding, for a combined total of $383,876,670.
The funding is intended to support improvements in rural healthcare access, workforce development, technology and the long-term sustainability of healthcare services.