FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Aug. 20, 2026

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Trump Administration Announces $4.2 Million to Expand Medical Transportation and Improve Patient Access to Care Across West Virginia

This federal investment will expand medical transportation capacity and help ensure West Virginians have access to high-quality care no matter their zip code

The Trump Administration announced an additional $4.2 million, made possible through the federal Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP), is being put to work in West Virginia to expand patients’ transportation options and remove service barriers.

By injecting millions into the Rural Health Link initiative, the Administration is upending the status quo that has limited transportation options for residents in need of critical healthcare services and delivering on its commitment to West Virginians who deserve the best access to care no matter their zip code. These funds will help increase medical transportation capacity, service availability, and improve geographic coverage for patients across the Mountain State.

“President Trump understands that every American deserves high-quality healthcare, no matter where they live,” said Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. “We are putting resources directly into rural communities to strengthen the health workforce, modernize infrastructure, expand access, and bring care closer to home. We are giving states the flexibility to build solutions around the people they serve, while demanding accountability for results. That is how we strengthen rural health, improve the lives of patients and families, and Make America Healthy Again.”

“President Trump made a historic commitment to rural America, and these investments are turning that commitment into better care for patients in communities across West Virginia,” said Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz. “This is what rural health transformation should look like: federal investment that is putting patients first, driving lasting improvements and expanding healthcare for the hardworking Americans who call these communities home.”

This investment was made possible through the Working Families Tax Cuts Act— passed by Republicans in Congress and unanimously opposed by Democrats — delivering a historic $50 billion, five-year national investment to help states transform the way healthcare is delivered in America.

“I’m proud that the Senate helped deliver the Rural Health Transformation Program through the Working Families Tax Cuts Act, securing a historic federal investment in rural health care,” said Senator Shelley Moore Capito. “Now, we’re seeing that investment put to work in West Virginia. The Trump Administration’s announcement of this $4.2 million of the overall $199 million awarded to the state is being used to expand medical transportation and will help ensure rural West Virginians can get the high-quality care they need, closer to home, when they need it most.”

“No West Virginian should have to travel hours just to get quality health care. Having fought for rural healthcare for years, I know how vital local access is to our communities. President Trump promised to stand with rural America, and this investment shows he’s delivering. Our families will be better taken care of because of it, and that’s a massive win for our state,” said Senator Jim Justice.

“Long drives through steep mountains and low hollers can make it hard for many West Virginians to access healthcare,” said Congresswoman Carol Miller. “I was honored to join President Trump to deliver the Working Families Tax Cuts Act, securing historic funding for rural healthcare. This $4.2 million investment from the Rural Health Transformation Program will ensure better access to care which means better health outcomes. President Trump, his Administration, and Republicans in Congress are Making America Healthy Again.”

“West Virginians deserve access to high-quality healthcare no matter where they live. The Rural Health Transformation Program, created through President Trump’s Working Families Tax Cuts Act is breaking down barriers and strengthening rural healthcare,” said Congressman Riley Moore. “I’m proud to have supported this historic investment, including nearly $200 million in funding for West Virginia in fiscal year 2026, to help ensure West Virginians can access quality care closer to home.”

The expansion of the Rural Health Link initiative is only one part of the larger overall funding amount being awarded to West Virginia for fiscal year 2026. With nearly $167 million in programming announced across multiple statewide projects, the Trump Administration continues to address healthcare access barriers, increase workforce participation, and ensure long-term healthcare system sustainability.

Key investments include:

• Expanded Virtual Care & Remote Patient Monitoring: This $14 million initiative scales remote patient monitoring and virtual healthcare technology across hospitals and providers statewide. By enabling early detection and empowering patients to better manage chronic conditions closer to home, the technology specifically targets high-prevalence issues—such as diabetes, hypertension, and obesity—that disproportionately impact West Virginia's health outcomes.

• "Health to Prosperity" Workforce Grants: $10.5 million in funding opportunities aim to address two primary drivers of workforce disengagement: chronic physical conditions and substance use disorder. While each grant targets a distinct population, both prioritize coordinated, multi-sector approaches that align clinical care, community support systems, and local employer engagement.

The Trump Administration is delivering on its commitment to strengthen rural America by investing in solutions that modernize technology to promote health and wellbeing for rural communities. Led by CMS, the RHTP is partnering with West Virginia and states nationwide to move beyond one-size-fits-all approaches and give rural communities the tools to build stronger, more innovative, and more sustainable health systems that deliver better care and better outcomes for the Americans they serve.

For more information about the RHTP, visit: https://www.medicaid.gov/resources-for-states/rural-health.

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