SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (Chambana Today) — Illinois has been awarded $193 million annually for five years through the federal Rural Healthcare Transformation Program (RHTP), aimed at expanding healthcare access in rural areas of the state. The funds will help address challenges faced by rural communities, including workforce shortages, geographic barriers to care, and limited access to specialized services.
The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) will oversee the distribution of the funds, which will support a wide range of initiatives to strengthen the state’s rural healthcare system. Key focus areas include incentivizing hospital and healthcare provider transformation, increasing the use of mobile health and telehealth services, and addressing workforce gaps through training, scholarships, and apprenticeship programs.
Governor JB Pritzker praised the award, noting that while it offers critical support, it falls short of addressing the broader challenges posed by cuts to Medicaid funding under the previous federal administration. “We refuse to leave rural communities behind as we work to expand access to critical healthcare services,” Pritzker said in a statement.
The funding will be directed to the state’s 85 rural counties, benefiting the 1.9 million Illinois residents living in these areas. The state’s plan also focuses on addressing the needs of vulnerable populations, including those living with chronic illnesses and mental health conditions. Stakeholder engagement has been a key component in developing the funding allocation strategy, with input from healthcare providers, community organizations, and legislators.
The Illinois Health and Hospital Association and other key partners emphasized that the funds would provide crucial relief to rural hospitals, many of which have faced financial difficulties due to rising costs and workforce shortages. “Rural hospitals are essential to the health and economic vitality of communities across Illinois,” said AJ Wilhelmi, President and CEO of the Illinois Health and Hospital Association.