FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 3, 2026

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Trump Administration Announces $120 Million to Expand Maternal and Infant Health Services, Increase Primary Care Access and Grow the Healthcare Workforce Across Indiana

This federal investment will help reduce barriers to primary and behavioral care, strengthen the rural health workforce, and improve access to healthcare services across Indiana

The Trump Administration announced today that a $120 million investment is being delivered to strengthen rural health and expand access to high-quality care for Hoosiers through the federal Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP). These investments will support locally driven solutions across eight regions of the state including removing barriers to technology, transportation, and health education. They will provide nutritional support and counseling with community-specific pilot programs that will address the impact food and nutrition have on health and healthcare. This funding will also help address prevention and management of chronic conditions such as diabetes and obesity.

This investment will strengthen maternal and infant health services, expand access to primary and behavioral health care, and provide critical mental health and crisis response resources. It will also help build the next generation of the rural health workforce through expanded recruitment, training and retention efforts, while creating a coordinated transportation network to help patients get to the care they need.

“President Trump understands that every American deserves high-quality healthcare, no matter where they live,” said Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. “We are putting resources directly into rural communities to strengthen the health workforce, modernize infrastructure, expand access, and bring care closer to home. We are giving states the flexibility to build solutions around the people they serve, while demanding accountability for results. That is how we strengthen rural health, improve the lives of patients and families, and Make America Healthy Again.”

“President Trump made a historic commitment to rural America, and these investments are turning that commitment into better care for patients in communities across Indiana,” said Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz. “This is what rural health transformation should look like: federal investment that is putting patients first, driving lasting improvements and expanding healthcare for the hardworking Americans who call these communities home.”

Today’s investment was made possible through the Working Families Tax Cuts Act—passed by Republicans in Congress and unanimously opposed by Democrats—delivering a historic $50 billion investment to help states transform the way healthcare is delivered in America.

“This funding is a major step forward in our commitment to making health care affordable and accessible for all Hoosiers,” Gov. Mike Braun said. “It’s an important stride toward creating a more sustainable and connected network in rural Indiana.”

“I am excited to see this investment by CMS in health care infrastructure and technology for our rural communities. Indiana’s rural counties play an essential role in supporting our economy and feeding the nation, yet they face unique health care challenges. CMS’s Rural Health Transformation Program will support Indiana’s Grow Rural Opportunities for Well-being (GROW) regional grants and improve the health of Hoosiers,” said Sen. Todd Young.

“Thank you to Administrator Oz and CMS for prioritizing the health of Hoosiers. This significant Rural Health Transformation Program investment will expand access and modernize care in rural Indiana,” said Sen. Jim Banks.

"Every single Democrat voted against driving $50 billion to rural communities through the Rural Health Transformation Program," Rep. Rudy Yakym said. "President Trump and Republicans delivered anyway. And now $120 million is coming home to Indiana to strengthen our rural health workforce and bring care closer to the Hoosiers who need it."

"I'm proud to have voted for the Working Families Tax Cuts Act, bringing Rural Health Transformation Program funds to Indiana. In recent years, our hardworking rural communities have seen their local hospitals understaffed, cutting services, and even closing outright. I'm pleased that the federally funded GROW Regional Grants let Hoosiers allocate resources to their own communities, ensuring each one gets the tailored help it needs," said Rep. Marlin Stutzman.

"Hoosiers deserve timely, high-quality healthcare regardless of where they live,” said Rep. James Baird. "I am pleased to see funding awarded through the Rural Health Transformation Program to expand access to essential services across rural Indiana. These investments will strengthen the abilities of local providers and help modernize healthcare in our rural communities.”

“Rural communities across our country desperately need better access to quality medical care. I appreciate the Trump Administration taking targeted steps to improve rural health care,” said Rep. Victoria Spartz.

"President Trump and House Republicans made a serious commitment to rural America when we created the Rural Health Transformation Program. I worked to secure this funding because rural Hoosiers need strong local providers, a deeper health care workforce and modern tools that bring care closer to home. A Hoosier’s ZIP code should never determine access to quality health care," said Rep. Jefferson Shreve.

“Southern Indiana deserves access to high-quality healthcare close to home, and this $120 million investment is a major victory for the region,” said Rep. Mark Messmer. “By expanding access to care and increasing funding for medical innovation, the GROW Regional Grants will ensure that families and businesses in rural Indiana continue to thrive. I’m honored to welcome these resources to our community in Indiana’s 8th District.”

“President Trump and Republicans are delivering for rural health care. I am pleased by this announcement, which will expand access to quality care across Indiana. This funding will empower local providers to address the unique challenges facing the communities they serve, increase access to care, grow our healthcare workforce, and improve health outcomes for families in our state. I look forward to seeing the positive impact these investments will have throughout Indiana’s Ninth Congressional District,” said Rep. Erin Houchin.

These investments mark a major milestone in Indiana’s long-term effort to support healthier families, expand access to essential services and build sustainable rural healthcare systems. Today’s announcement is just one part of the larger overall funding amount awarded to Indiana for fiscal year 2026.

Projects supported by this funding include: 

• Improving Maternal and Infant Health: Providing prenatal and postpartum navigation, maternal fetal medicine access, infant support, prenatal mental health support and a rural-focused OB residency.
• Increasing Access to Primary Care, Behavioral Healthcare, and Crisis Response: Providing new access points by expanding clinical capacity, adding primary care and behavioral health access points by launching mobile medical and dental services, and transforming behavioral health and crisis response through Emergency Department embedded clinicians and standardized regional crisis service messaging. Removing barriers to technology, healthy food, and health education.
• Growing the Rural Health Workforce: Building a regional rural health workforce pipeline with expanded recruitment, clinical training pathways, retention strategies and high-need positions.
• Improving Rural Transportation and Access to Care: Developing a coordinated reginal transportation network linking hospitals, EMS, aging-services providers and local transit to reduce missed appointments and improve access to care.
• Chronic Disease Prevention and Management: Evidence‑based, outcomes‑driven interventions for conditions like diabetes, hypertension, obesity and related risks
• Food and Nutrition Support: Incorporating food and nutrition pilots into rural communities’ healthcare availability, including a pilot initiative to deliver locally sourced, Hoosier-grown food for medically tailored meals and fresh produce prescriptions paired with telehealth-based nutrition therapy. Other initiatives include integrating nutritional support into maternal health programs.

The Trump Administration is delivering on its commitment to strengthen rural America by investing in solutions that transform healthcare access for rural communities. Led by CMS, the RHTP is moving beyond the failed one-size-fits-all approach and giving rural communities the tools to build stronger, more innovative, and more sustainable health systems that deliver better care and better outcomes for the Americans they serve.

For more information about the RHTP, visit: https://www.medicaid.gov/resources-for-states/rural-health.

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