FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sept. 14, 2026

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Trump Administration Expands Preventive and Behavioral Healthcare Access for Students Across Rural North Carolina

This federal investment will strengthen school-based healthcare through new locations, telehealth and mobile care for children in rural communities

The Trump Administration announced today that a $1.25 million investment is being delivered to expand access to preventive, acute, and behavioral healthcare for children in rural North Carolina through the federal Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP). This investment will support new and expanded school-based health centers, telehealth, mobile care, and increased capacity at existing rural locations to help bring healthcare closer to students.

This investment builds on the Administration’s $10 million in funding previously announced for 39 local EMS agencies to strengthen the rural EMS workforce and expand access to behavioral health and substance use disorder treatment.

“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 North Carolina,” 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.

“The Rural Health Transformation Program’s continued investments in communities across North Carolina are critical for improving the level of care for patients in our most underserved areas. By bringing high-quality care closer to our communities, we can continue to provide more options that will improve health outcomes across the Old North State,” said Sen. Ted Budd.

“I am grateful to President Trump and Administrator Oz for their efforts to bolster rural healthcare across Eastern North Carolina. Our communities deserve access to high-quality, affordable care and will benefit from the funding provided by the new Rural Health Transformation Program. I am proud to have supported this effort made possible by H.R. 1 passed and signed into law by Republicans and President Trump,” said Rep. Greg Murphy.

“The passage of the Working Families Tax Cuts – thanks to our Republican majorities in Washington – has gone on to bear fruit for hardworking Americans and their families across our nation. The Rural Health Transformation Program, an important byproduct of our consequential legislation, is primed to serve rural communities like those in North Carolina’s 5th District – this announcement is welcome news indeed. I remain confident that this program will serve our communities in an effective, timely, and consistent manner,” said Rep. Virginia Foxx.

“The Rural Health Transformation Program, made possible through the historic Working Families Tax Cuts, is expanding access to health care for children and families in rural communities across North Carolina. I am especially pleased to see this investment support FirstHealth of the Carolinas in Montgomery and Richmond counties. Expanding school-based health services, preventive care, behavioral health support, telehealth, and mobile care will help more children get the care they need closer to home. I am proud to have helped make this program possible and will continue working to expand access to care for families across rural North Carolina,” said Rep. Mark Harris.

“We are blessed in this community to have a world-class health care system in FirstHealth,” said Rep. Richard Hudson. “The Working Families Tax Cuts made a major investment in rural health care, and I’m glad to see that investment coming home to North Carolina. This funding will help FirstHealth give folks better access to the care they need closer to home.”

“North Carolina has the second-largest rural population in America, yet too many families still live miles from the basic care their children need. Republicans took that challenge head-on in the One Big Beautiful Bill by creating the $50 billion Rural Health Transformation Program, legislation that every House Democrat voted against,” said Rep. Pat Harrigan. “This $1.25 million investment is now putting that vote to work in North Carolina, expanding school-based health centers and bringing preventive and acute care, behavioral health services, nutrition support, telehealth, and mobile care directly to children in rural communities. I was proud to vote for it, and I’m proud to see those dollars reaching families where they can make a real difference.”

“In Western North Carolina, we know that distance can be a real barrier to accessing the health care you and your family need. The Rural Health Transformation Program is helping address that challenge by bringing health care services directly into rural communities and schools," said Rep. Chuck Edwards. "These investments will expand access to care for children and families, strengthen our rural health care system, and make sure folks can get the care they need close to home.”

“Republicans in Congress passed the Rural Health Transformation Program through the Working Families Tax Cuts Act, and I am exceedingly thankful to see this investment go straight to the great Americans in Lee County,” said Rep. Brad Knott. “This important funding will help expand healthcare for children, from preventive and behavioral health services to new telehealth and mobile care options. There is work to do, but this is an important step for NC-13 and one I am grateful to have been a part of."

"For too long, our rural communities in North Carolina have faced limited access to quality healthcare,” said Rep. Tim Moore. “This new federal funding will give five local organizations, including Blue Ridge Community Health Services, the resources necessary to expand school-based health centers and deliver vital care directly to children in rural areas. From preventive and behavioral health services to telehealth and mobile care, these investments will make it easier for students and families to get the care they need. I’m proud to support investments that put patients first and strengthen healthcare for families across North Carolina."

Today’s announcement is one part of the larger overall funding amount awarded to North Carolina for fiscal year 2026.

Key initiatives the overall RHTP funding will focus on include: 

• Strengthening local access and preventive care: Supporting NC ROOTS Hubs, primary and preventive care, chronic disease management, and perinatal health to strengthen access closer to home.
  
  
• Expanding behavioral health and substance use disorder services: Supporting integrated behavioral healthcare, mobile crisis services, telehealth, and stronger connections to care in rural communities.
  
  
• Building the rural healthcare workforce: Supporting training, recruitment, retention, and innovative care teams to build a more resilient rural workforce.
  
  
• Advancing technology and sustainable care delivery: Investing in telehealth, artificial intelligence, and digital tools, including through the Rural Health Innovation Fund, while supporting innovative care and payment models to strengthen rural providers.

The Trump Administration is delivering on its commitment to strengthen rural America by investing in solutions that modernize technology to promote health and well-being for rural communities. Led by CMS, the RHTP is moving beyond the failed 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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