Wyoming Shoots its Shot for a Slice of $50B Rural Health Fund

The original story by Denise Mestas for Wyoming News Now.

Wyoming just filed its pitch to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services for the $50 billion Rural Health Transformation Program, the new federal push to shore up care in small towns. Governor Mark Gordon called it a chance to build solutions “that work here at home,” adding that the state will treat the money as temporary and aim for investments that last without “burden[ing] our grandchildren.”

The application leans hard on what residents said they need most. After 11 town halls and more than 1,300 survey responses, Wyoming put financial lifelines for small rural hospitals, more affordable insurance options, and better access to primary care at the top of the agenda. It also zeroes in on growing and keeping the caregiving workforce — think nurses, nursing assistants and paramedics — and restoring close-to-home maternity services so families aren’t driving hours to deliver.

To get there, the plan outlines four tracks. First, stabilize the basics by aligning funding for rural hospitals and EMS and rebuilding local maternity access. Second, expand training and clear career ladders so entry-level health workers can see a future in Wyoming. Third, tackle chronic disease by boosting nutrition and physical activity to chip away at diabetes and heart disease. And fourth, use tech — better tools and smarter incentives — to manage chronic conditions and bring more care into patients’ homes.

“This application reflects Wyoming’s dedication to building a sustainable and innovative rural health system that addresses our communities’ needs,” said Health Department Director Stefan Johansson, who’s hoping CMS gives the green light.

Created under Section 71401 of H.R. 1, the program will send out $10 billion a year for five years. Half will be split evenly among states with approved plans; the rest will be allocated based on CMS criteria. Wyoming’s proposal was shaped with input from rural hospitals, community health centers, frontline providers and residents to keep it grounded in on-the-ground realities. CMS is expected to name awardees by December 31, 2025.

More details are posted at the state health department: https://health.wyo.gov/admin/rural-health-transformation-program/.