State Rep. Robb Blasdel Applauds $92 Million Investment in Healthcare Expansion for Rural Ohioans
State Representative Monica Robb Blasdel (R-New Waterford) 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.
“East Liverpool City Hospital and Salem Regional Medical Center are where families across our community turn for care, often in their most difficult moments,” said Rep. Robb Blasdel. “This investment helps our local hospitals expand services and keep quality healthcare close to home, so residents in Columbiana County do not have to travel long distances to get the treatment they need.”
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.
Two hospitals in the 79th House District, East Liverpool City Hospital in East Liverpool and Salem Regional Medical Center in Salem, were each awarded $1.3 million through the grant. Together, the awards total more than $2.7 million for Columbiana County and will support 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.