RALEIGH, N.C. (WECT) – North Carolina has been awarded more than $216.8 million in continued federal funding to improve rural health care, bringing the state’s total under the program to more than $429 million since April 2026.
The latest award from the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services includes $100 million initially awarded to every state last month. North Carolina received more than $213 million in the program’s first year.
The state plans to use the money to support rural health care workers, improve technology and connect residents with care and other services. The federal Rural Health Transformation Program is scheduled to provide funding for five years, with future awards depending in part on state progress and federal funding decisions.
“Every North Carolinian should have access to affordable, high-quality health care close to where they live,” Gov. Josh Stein said.
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services will host a public webinar Dec. 10 to discuss the program’s progress and priorities. Health and Human Services Secretary Dev Sangvai will also discuss how the program fits into the department’s strategic plan. Registration is required.
The department said the federal law that created the program also reduces federal Medicaid funding to states. North Carolina is projected to lose tens of billions of dollars in health care funding over the next 10 years as a result.
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