Tuesday, JANUARY 6, 2026 |
Photo – Hanna Medical Clinic – Bigfoot99 file photo
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced last week that Wyoming will receive more than $205 million in federal funding for the first year of the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP).
This investment, established under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, is part of a five-year, $50 billion national initiative designed to strengthen health care in rural communities following the health care cuts that occurred because of the same legislation passed by Congress earlier this year.
For Wyoming, the most sparsely populated state in the nation, the award represents a unique opportunity to address health care gaps.
“I am excited for what this award means for health care in Wyoming, particularly for our rural communities across the state,” Governor Mark Gordon said in a statement following the announcement. “Thanks to President Trump, Wyoming now has a unique opportunity to help address some of our state’s most challenging rural health care issues, like hospital viability, EMS sustainability, OB care, and bolstering workforce.”
U.S. Senator John Barrasso, R-Wyo., applauded the award, noting that the state’s approach is tailored to its unique geography.
“The State of Wyoming has a smart and targeted plan to address our unique healthcare challenges,” Barrasso said in a statement. “With this over $205 million award, Wyoming can get to work expanding access to care, recruiting and training new health providers and strengthening rural healthcare across our state.”
A primary focus of the program is the financial viability of small, rural hospitals. Wyoming intends to establish the “Critical Access Hospital — Basic” incentive program, which encourages smaller facilities to focus on essential community services like 24/7 emergency departments, and labor and delivery services.
