Rep. Deeter Applauds Controlling Board Approval of Millions in Rural Healthcare Funding

State Representative Kellie Deeter (R-Norwalk) today announced that the Ohio Controlling Board yesterday approved over $200 million in federal grant funding through the first year of the Rural Health Transformation Fund.

This federal funding, approved on Monday, benefits rural hospitals and providers, allocates additional funding for new and expanded rural maternity units, and provides financial assistance to rural independent hospitals.

Funding secured through the grant will support the following initiatives that specifically benefit rural Ohioans:

• $92M - Ohio Rural Health Innovation Hubs/Clinically Integrated Networks
• $21.2M - Ohio Rural School-Based Health Centers
• $25M - OhioSEE Rural Expansion
• $1M - Rural Hospital Training and Technical Assistance Center
• $12.5M - Rural Health Workforce Pipeline and Development Projects
• $16.7M - Healthier Ohio Initiatives
• $12M - Rural Ohio Emergency Care/EMS transformation
• $3.5M - Electronic Medical Records Access for Pharmacies
• $7M - Rural Maternal and Child Health
• $9M - Rural Health Equipment and Supplies
• $2.1M - Rural Health Program Implementation

Members of the House Rural Hospital Caucus, led by Representatives Kellie Deeter and Meredith Craig, reinforced that rural hospitals and healthcare providers are vital to the communities they serve - providing emergency care, employment opportunities, and overall community well-being. This funding will help address rising operational costs, shrinking reimbursements, and other fiscal challenges that have placed unprecedented strain on rural healthcare infrastructure.

"I'm appreciative of the Trump administration for this investment in rural healthcare as we work to level set Medicaid costs at the state level. This funding will have a direct impact on districts like mine that rely on rural healthcare," said Representative Deeter.

"Further, I am happy to have secured a direct financial award for Fisher-Titus Medical Center, which does amazing work within my district. Rural, independent hospitals are crucial to sustaining Ohio's healthcare environment and will continue to be a focal point of my work in Columbus."

The Rural Health Transformation Fund was created as a portion of the One Big Beautiful Bill that President Trump signed on July 4th, 2025.