Congressman Langworthy Announces $76.2 Million Investment to Strengthen Rural Health Care

Washington D.C.-September 3^rd… Congressman Nick Langworthy today announced a $76.2 million investment through New York's Rural Community Health Integration Initiative to strengthen health care services and expand access for rural communities across the state, including seven counties in New York's 23rd Congressional District.

The investment is part of the broader Rural Health Transformation Program, which was established to provide resources to states to strengthen rural health care systems and improve the availability and quality of services in rural communities. The funding includes approximately $22.7 million in planning awards and $53.5 million in implementation awards, with an additional $1 million dedicated to increasing the number of School-Based Health Centers.

Within NY-23, Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Chemung, Schuyler, Steuben, and Tioga counties have been identified as areas of focus under New York's program and are expected to directly benefit from the initiative.

"When we created the Rural Health Transformation Program, it was to acknowledge that our rural communities face unique healthcare challenges and demand a unique approach to improving access and quality of care," said Congressman Nick Langworthy. "This significant $76 million investment in New York is proof that we are delivering on that promise. By strengthening partnerships among rural hospitals, health centers, and community providers, we are breaking down barriers to care, improving coordination, and building a stronger rural health care system that improves health outcomes, expands access, and delivers the kind of care that Americans in rural communities deserve just as much as those in urban and suburban settings. Delivering on this commitment will continue to be one of my top priorities for the residents of Western New York and the Southern Tier."

New York has identified 47 of the state's 62 counties as rural for purposes of its program application, using criteria established by the Health Resources and Services Administration's Federal Office of Rural Health Policy. The state's initiative will support partnerships among rural hospitals, health centers, and community providers to improve care coordination and expand access to health and social services.

For more information, click here: https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/press-releases/trump-administration-announces-76-million-strengthen-regional-coordination-modernize-healthcare