DHS asks for $1 billion in federal funds for rural healthcare

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services is asking for $1 billion in federal funds to improve healthcare in rural areas. The DHS applied for the money through the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ Rural Health Transformation (RHT) Program. The $50 billion program was created under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Specifically, the DHS is asking for $337 million to recruit and retain rural healthcare workers, $329 million to upgrade technology at healthcare providers in rural areas and $279 million to create a coordinated healthcare system in rural regions The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services will decide on which applicants get funding by Dec. 31. On Tuesday, Congressman Derrick Van Orden sent a letter to Governor Tony Evers emphasizing the urgency of meeting the federal submission deadline on Wednesday and ensuring that the state’s application aligns with both Congressional intent and the parameters outlined by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).