State Rep. Johnson Applauds $92 Million Investment in Healthcare Expansion for Rural Ohioans
State Representative Mark Johnson (R-Chillicothe) is pleased to share that Governor DeWine recently announced $92 million in awards through the Rural Health Transformation Program to expand access to quality healthcare in rural Ohio.
“The needs are great in the Appalachian communities of which I serve; these funds are much needed to help keep our medical facilities funded so they can continue providing the quality care that our residents expect,” said Johnson.
The House Rural Hospital Caucus reinforced that rural independent hospitals are vital to the communities they serve – providing emergency care, employment opportunities, and overall community well-being. This funding will help rural hospitals manage chronic illnesses and expand access to preventive, primary, maternal, and behavioral healthcare.
The initial $92 million in awards, administered by the Ohio Department of Health (ODH), includes:
- $31.4 million to establish or expand Clinically Integrated Networks (CIN) and Rural Health Innovation Hubs
- $30.3 million to improve maternal care
- $30.3 million in one-time investments to 22 rural hospitals
The Rural Health Transformation Fund was created as a portion of the One Big Beautiful Bill that President Trump signed in July 2025. The House Rural Hospital Caucus specifically advocated for the one-time investment awards to go to rural independent hospitals.
Adena Medical Center in Chillicothe, Hocking Valley Community Hospital in Logan, and Genesis Healthcare System in New Lexington were each awarded $1.3 million through the grant for quality-improvement projects like opening additional healthcare units, expanding certain services available, and more, helping rural hospitals provide quality patient care to more Ohioans in the community.
To learn more about the details of this announcement, click here.