Ohio is vying for a share of a new $50 billion federal program called the Rural Health Transformation Fund. It was formed out of the U.S. budget reconciliation bill earlier this year, and is being hailed by officials as the largest one-time federal investment targeted at rural health care.

But some rural Ohio health leaders wonder whether the funding, if awarded, will be enough to lift a system weakened by years of underinvestment and federal Medicaid cuts.

How important is this funding?

Over 70 of Ohio’s 88 counties are rural or partially rural. Many face staffing shortages, rising costs and cuts to services. Four rural Northeast Ohio counties have limited access to labor and delivery care, and Ashland County has none, according to a 2022 March of Dimes report .

Ohio is competing ag

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