CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia’s investments in rural healthcare just got another boost.
Gov. Patrick Morrisey announced Monday that the state is receiving more than $202 million in federal funding through the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP). This brings the state’s total funding received in the first two years of the program to beyond $401 million. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) directed the funding to the Mountain State; part of $50 billion total planned for national distribution over a five-year period.
“This additional $202 million will help us expand access to care, strengthen rural hospitals, and address the chronic health challenges facing West Virginia,” Morrisey said. “We’re building a healthcare system that improves health outcomes, brings quality care closer to home, and helps more West Virginians get healthy and return to the workforce.”
The second-year award is a $2.6 million increase from the $199.5 million received by West Virginia in year one of the program. Morrisey has announced a wave of investments in recent months through the Rural Health Transformation Program.
According to the governor’s office, the state has fulfilled distribution of 100 percent of the first-year award through signed awards and agreements, completing that before an October 30 deadline set by the federal government. West Virginia has also matched nearly $22 million in resources with the grants.
“We set out to put every dollar of our first-year award to work, and we got it done ahead of schedule,” Morrisey said. “Now we’re building on that momentum with another $202 million. I want to thank President Trump, Secretary Kennedy, and Dr. Oz for recognizing the challenges facing rural communities and supporting the state-driven solutions that will help us build a healthier, more prosperous West Virginia.”
U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito released a statement on X to highlight the funding. She said hard work in the U.S. Senate made it possible with the Working Families Tax Cuts Act, signed by President Donald Trump.
Pleased to see @HHSGov announce $202 million in funding for West Virginia through the Rural Health Transformation Program.
This investment wouldn’t be possible without the Working Families @TaxCuts, which we worked hard to secure in the Senate. Thank you to @POTUS for his continued commitment to ensuring our rural communities have access to the resources they deserve.
https://t.co/fdMp69x90n
— Shelley Moore Capito (@SenCapito) November 9, 2026
Now, the governor’s office said, the priority shifts to “implementation” of the grants across West Virginia. All the funds received in the first year must be spent by September 30 next year, per the governor’s office.
“These investments are strengthening rural hospitals, expanding access to primary and specialty care, and addressing critical shortages in the healthcare workforce,” the governor’s office stated. “Projects already underway include efforts to restore maternal healthcare services, expand mobile clinics and telehealth, bring advanced diagnostic and monitoring technology into rural communities, and improve prevention and treatment of chronic diseases such as diabetes. Together, these initiatives are designed to improve healthcare outcomes while helping more West Virginians get healthy and return to work.”