Murkowski on Rural Health Transformation Fund: “Alaska has an extraordinary opportunity.”

Murkowski on Rural Health Transformation Fund: "Alaska has an extraordinary opportunity."

Anchorage, AK - The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) today announced awards under the Rural Health Transformation Program, a $50 billion initiative established through the reconciliation bill. U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) highlighted the opportunity presented to Alaska's rural health care system through the newly expanded fund, which will deliver $272 million per year to Alaska for the next five years.

"During the reconciliation negotiations, protecting health care access for rural communities in Alaska and across the country was my top priority," said Senator Lisa Murkowski. "As one of the lead advocates to double the Rural Health Transformation Fund from $25 billion to $50 billion, I was intent on ensuring our rural providers had the resources to adapt, innovate, and continue to deliver care in challenging environments like ours. In addition to the funding, I fought for key provisions, including exemptions for Tribal members from SNAP and Medicaid work requirements and greater flexibility for states like Alaska to exempt regions with limited job availability. These safeguards will matter just as much as the funding. Taken together, they position Alaska well for the future and recognize the realities facing our rural and remote communities. We have an extraordinary opportunity in front of us, and I'm committed to working with our partners in the state to seize it."

Background:

The Rural Health Transformation Fund was conceived during negotiations on H.R. 1. The fund provides $50 billion nationwide over five years (FY 2026-2031), including a $100 million per-state base allocation each year. Alaska will receive $272 million annually-totaling $1.36 billion over five years-to support rural health care priorities such as maternal and child health, access to essential services, preventive care, workforce recruitment and retention, and health care technology. Senator Murkowski's negotiations directly led to the doubling of the fund from $25 billion to $50 billion.

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