FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 27, 2026

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Trump Administration Announces $93.3 Million to Expand Telehealth Services, Advance Surgical Robotics and Transform Rural Healthcare Access Across Georgia

This federal investment will help expand coordinated statewide care, strengthen the rural health workforce, and support technology-enabled healthcare access across Georgia

The Trump Administration announced today that a $93.3 million investment is being delivered to help rural hospitals advance new state-of-the-art models of care and improve health outcomes for Georgians through the federal Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP).

This investment will help 87 rural hospitals prepare for value-based care, expand training and recruitment for nurses, EMTs and paramedics, and improve access to maternal and behavioral health services, newborn screening, and other critical health services through telehealth, transportation and expanded care networks. It will also bring next-generation technology to rural communities—including surgical robotics, dementia care capacity, and telehealth infrastructure—to modernize care. By strengthening and expanding rural care, this funding will also help retain health care professionals in rural Georgia. This investment will strengthen rural hospitals, expand telehealth and healthcare access, build dementia care capacity, and grow the rural healthcare workforce through technology-enabled care initiatives across the state. With these investments, Georgia has now committed the full $218 million awarded to the state for its first year of funding through the RHTP.

“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 Georgia,” 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.”

Today’s 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 investment to help states transform the way healthcare is delivered in America.

"I want to thank the Trump administration, our CMS partners, and the hardworking team at the Department of Community Health for making this first year of GREAT awards so successful," said Gov. Brian Kemp. "Thanks to their efforts, transformational funding is going toward innovating and improving our healthcare system, with more awards to come. Georgia patients will ultimately benefit the most, and I look forward to this good work continuing in the years ahead."

“Republicans in Congress worked with President Trump to make this historic investment in rural health care possible, and now Georgians are seeing the results. This $93.3 million will strengthen rural hospitals, expand access to care, and bring innovative technology to communities across our state. I am proud to have supported this investment and President Trump’s commitment to delivering better health care for rural America," said Rep. Earl "Buddy" Carter.

Rep. Brian Jack said, “I was honored to vote for President Trump’s Working Families Tax Cuts, which secured the largest investment in rural healthcare in American history. Just yesterday, I sat down with health system leaders in my Congressional District to discuss the incredible opportunities available through this landmark legislation. Today’s announcement will strengthen rural healthcare across our state, expand access to affordable treatment, and bring cutting-edge technology closer to home. Every Democrat in Congress voted against this funding, but President Trump and Republicans in Congress delivered for the people of Georgia.”

“As a physician, I know firsthand that access to quality healthcare can make all the difference, and where you live should never determine the quality of care you receive,” said Rep. Rich McCormick. “This $93.3 million investment is a major win for rural communities across Georgia. By strengthening our hospitals, expanding telehealth, investing in our healthcare workforce, and bringing cutting-edge technology closer to our communities, we are giving providers the tools they need to better serve their patients.”

"The Working Families Tax Cuts Act has made the lives of Americans better since the day it became law. Through that legislation, this investment was made possible and President Trump's commitment to providing the best possible healthcare opportunities to every American is being made real," said Rep. Austin Scott.

“I’m deeply thankful for President Trump and his Administration’s implementation of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act’s commitment to invest in and ultimately improve rural healthcare. From strengthening the workforce to expanding access to critical care, this investment will make a tremendous impact throughout the Peach State, including in the rural communities across the Ninth District. It’s incredible to see the Rural Health Transformation Program in action, delivering on our promise to make rural America healthy again,” said Rep. Andrew Clyde.

“No Georgian should skip or delay care because they do not have access to the facilities or services they need in their communities. I applaud President Trump and his administration for prioritizing rural communities with this investment, which will ensure that Georgians can get the care they deserve, when and where they need it,” said Rep. Mike Collins.

“Georgia’s initial $218.8 million award through the Rural Health Transformation Program is a significant investment in the well-being of communities across our state and Georgia’s 11th Congressional District. These funds will help strengthen rural hospitals, expand access to quality care, and ensure Georgians—regardless of where they live—can receive the care they need. I’m pleased to see this federal investment reaching Georgia, and I look forward to the positive impact it will have on families throughout our state,” said Rep. Barry Loudermilk.

“I was proud to support the Working Families Tax Cuts which made this historic investment in rural Georgia possible. This announcement is a continuation of House Republicans’ and the Trump Administration’s longstanding commitment to strengthen and modernize health care in our rural communities. I am grateful to President Trump, Secretary Kennedy, and Administrator Oz for prioritizing rural America as we work to provide high-quality, patient-centered care for hardworking Georgians,” said Rep. Rick Allen.

“Northwest Georgia communities deserve the same access to high-quality healthcare as Americans living anywhere else. For too long, rural hospitals and healthcare providers have faced challenges that make it harder to deliver the care our communities deserve. This investment from the Trump Administration will help change that by bringing modern technology, telehealth, workforce development, and critical healthcare services directly to Appalachian Georgia. I am proud to support this commitment to strengthening rural America and ensuring that hardworking Georgians can receive quality care close to home,” said Rep. Clay Fuller.

Today’s announcement, just one part of the larger overall funding amount  awarded to Georgia for fiscal year 2026, completes Georgia’s initial Year 1 award cycle.

Projects supported by this funding include:

• Preparing rural hospitals for value-based care: Georgia is supporting 87 rural hospitals with pre-implementation funding to prepare for participation in CMS’ AHEAD Model, helping providers build the capacity needed to transition toward more sustainable, accountable models of care.
• Strengthening the rural healthcare workforce: Investments are expanding education and training opportunities for nurses, emergency medical technicians and paramedics, while supporting new approaches to recruiting and retaining healthcare professionals in rural communities.
• Expanding access and strengthening the continuum of care: Georgia is investing in telehealth access points, maternal and behavioral healthcare, newborn screening, transportation and other services designed to better connect rural patients with care.
• Modernizing rural healthcare through technology and innovation: Funding is supporting technology-enabled care and infrastructure, including rural hospital cybersecurity, telehealth capacity, surgical robotics and other tools designed to strengthen rural healthcare delivery and workforce retention.

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 moving beyond a one-size-fits-all approach and giving 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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