Ohio Rural Health Transformation, $200 Million Award, Expanded School-Based Care

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Ohio is launching a sweeping Ohio rural health transformation effort after Governor Mike DeWine announced the state will receive more than $200 million in federal funding to expand care in rural communities.

The money, awarded through the Rural Health Transformation Program by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, will target long-standing health disparities in Ohio’s small towns and rural counties.

“We are so grateful to be awarded this funding so that more Ohioans can receive expanded access and enhanced quality to necessary health care,” DeWine said in announcing the award. “We are committed to working collaboratively with our federal partners to ensure these funds are fully utilized so rural Ohioans can live their healthiest lives.”

DeWine also thanked national and state leaders who supported Ohio’s proposal, along with lawmakers who have pushed to invest more in rural health care.

Ohio Rural Health Transformation Targets Chronic Disease and Access Gaps

According to the Ohio Department of Health’s Ohio Chronic Disease Atlas 2025, residents in rural Ohio experience:

• Higher rates of chronic disease
• Lower access to specialty care
• Worse overall health outcomes

Many rural Ohioans live far from hospitals and clinics, making regular preventative care and early intervention difficult. State officials say the new Ohio rural health transformation initiative is designed to directly confront those barriers by bringing services closer to where people live, work, and go to school.

The plan focuses on four major areas:

• Expanding access to care in rural communities
• Strengthening the rural health workforce
• Modernizing rural facilities and technology
• Supporting innovative care models that keep patients closer to home

More School-Based Health Centers in Rural Communities

One of the most visible pieces of the funding will be the expansion of school-based health centers in rural Ohio.

By housing clinics in schools, the state aims to:

• Provide easier access to medical care for students
• Reduce transportation barriers for families
• Offer behavioral and mental health support where children already are

Officials say that school-based centers can catch problems earlier—whether it’s chronic conditions like asthma, behavioral concerns, or mental health needs—and connect students and families with services they might otherwise go without.

Expanding OhioSEE Vision Care for Rural Students

The state will also broaden the reach of the OhioSEE child vision care program to include more rural school districts.

Through OhioSEE, students can receive:

• Eye exams and screenings
• Follow-up care
• Corrective lenses where needed

Vision problems are a major but often overlooked barrier to learning. By tying this effort into the broader Ohio rural health transformation, officials hope to prevent children from falling behind in school due to undiagnosed or untreated vision issues.

Building on Progress to Reduce Infant Mortality

Ohio plans to extend evidence-based home visiting programs to more rural areas as part of its strategy to continue reducing infant mortality.

These home visiting models typically include:

• Support from nurses, social workers, or trained home visitors
• Education on prenatal care and safe sleep
• Guidance for new parents on nutrition, development, and safety
• Referrals to local health and social services

By bringing services directly to families’ homes—especially in places far from maternity wards or pediatric practices—the state aims to reach more parents during pregnancy and a child’s earliest years, when interventions can be most effective.

Rural Healthcare Workforce Pipeline

Recognizing that sustainable change depends on people, Ohio will build a Rural Healthcare Workforce Pipeline as a central pillar of its rural health strategy.

The pipeline will be built through partnerships among:

• Hospitals and health systems
• Community health centers and clinics
• Colleges, universities, and technical schools

The goal is to:

• Encourage more medical and health care students to train in rural settings
• Connect them with job opportunities in rural communities
• Support long-term careers in small towns across Ohio

State leaders say that without a stable workforce, expanded services and updated facilities will be difficult to sustain. The pipeline is meant to ensure that the Ohio rural health transformation is durable and not just a short-term project.

Rural Patient Health Innovation Hubs

Ohio will also launch Rural Patient Health Innovation Hubs to improve access to integrated, higher-level care in rural regions.

These hubs will bring together:

• Local hospitals
• Community health centers
• Behavioral health specialists
• Other health and social service partners

The idea is to create “best-in-class” integrated care close to home, allowing rural patients to receive more comprehensive treatment without traveling long distances for many routine or specialized services.

By coordinating care across organizations, the hubs are expected to improve outcomes for patients managing chronic diseases, behavioral health conditions, and complex medical needs.

ODH to Lead Implementation

The Ohio Department of Health (ODH) is serving as the lead agency for the Rural Health Transformation Program. ODH will:

• Coordinate with federal partners
• Oversee funding distribution
• Provide guidance and support to communities and providers
• Track outcomes as projects roll out

As more details emerge and specific projects are developed, rural communities across Ohio can expect to see additional announcements about new services, partnerships, and timelines.

For residents in these communities, the Ohio rural health transformation represents a substantial commitment to making high-quality health care more accessible, consistent, and responsive to local needs.