Hundreds of millions of dollars in federal funding have been secured for rural health services in Kentucky after President Trump accepted the state’s Rural Health Transformation Plan, Governor Andy Beshear announced on Monday.
The approval of the plan will unlock $212.9 million for Kentucky over the next five years. State officials said the funding is intended to address long-standing challenges in rural areas, including high rates of chronic illness, limited maternity services, and gaps in access to oral health, emergency response and behavioural health care.
According to the Beshear administration, the Rural Health Transformation Plan was developed in partnership with health organisations across the Commonwealth. It is designed to help rural communities manage the impact of recent federal cuts while strengthening local health care systems.
“Health care is a basic human right, and it was a priority for me and my administration to submit this application and fight for funding to support our rural health communities—especially following the passage of devastating Medicaid cuts,” Beshear said. “I am proud our community-driven plan was accepted in full and now $212.9 million will help provide our fellow Kentuckians with the quality care they need and deserve.”
A news release said the Kentucky Department for Public Health will lead the rollout of the plan, working alongside partners and stakeholders across the state. Officials said the approach is focused on tackling the most pressing health issues affecting rural Kentuckians.
“Team Kentucky’s rural communities are the heart of our commonwealth,” said Kentucky Department for Public Health Commissioner Dr. John Langefeld. “This is about strengthening local health systems, creating jobs and ensuring every family has the opportunity to live healthy and thrive.”
State leaders outlined several key challenges the plan aims to address. Seventeen percent of Kentuckians live with multiple chronic conditions, compared with 11% nationally. Nearly one in six women of childbearing age in Kentucky live in maternity care deserts, a rate more than four times the national average.
Rural areas also face ongoing shortages of mental health professionals, placing pressure on emergency departments and first responders. In addition, Appalachian counties record some of the lowest dental visit rates and some of the highest levels of complete tooth loss among older residents. Emergency medical access is also uneven, with almost half of Kentucky’s paramedics based in the state’s five largest counties.
Officials said the plan was developed with input from organisations including the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky, the Kentucky Primary Care Association, the Kentucky Hospital Association and the Kentucky Office of Rural Health.
“Health care access improves health care outcomes. It improves lives and saves lives,” said Dr. Jason Smith, CEO of University of Louisville Health. “UofL Health supports Kentucky’s focus on improving access in our rural communities to address chronic illness, maternity care, mental health, oral health and emergency care.”
