Lawmakers, Health Groups Resist Their States’ Rural Health Fund Plans

Summary: The government recently created a $50 billion fund to help rural healthcare. This was meant to make up for huge cuts to the Medicaid program, which many low-income people rely on. Politicians have been bragging about the new money, but there is a big catch. Most of the funds are meant for new technology and "innovative" projects, not for keeping struggling rural hospitals open. In fact, states are only allowed to use up to 15% of the money to actually pay for patient care.

Now, state lawmakers and hospital groups are fighting over how to spend the cash. Some states want to change their plans to better help local doctors and clinics, but federal officials warn that making big changes could cause them to lose the money completely. Many health experts fear this massive program won't actually save a single rural hospital from closing.

For more details, see KFF Health News at kffhealthnews.org/news/article/rural-transformation-fund-lawmakers-health-groups-resist-state-spending-plans/ (opens in new tab)