FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 24, 2026

Contact: CMS Media Relations
(202) 690-6145 | CMS Media Inquiries

Trump Administration Announces $144 million to Improve Mental Health, Substance Abuse, Emergency and Maternal Care and Expand the Healthcare Workforce in Alabama

This federal investment will help strengthen the rural health workforce, expand care options and modernize healthcare delivery across Alabama

The Trump Administration announced today that a $144 million investment is being delivered to improve health outcomes for Alabamians through the federal Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) This investment will support 138 grants to expand access to care, modernize healthcare technology and infrastructure and strengthen the rural healthcare workforce.

This funding will help rural providers modernize their technology and cybersecurity, enhance telehealth and mobile care services, strengthen emergency and maternal care, and improve access to mental health and substance use care. The Trump Administration is also investing in expanding the healthcare workforce through training, scholarships, apprenticeships, and recruitment efforts, while helping local providers strengthen community-based care and better coordinate services. These investments will help make healthcare more accessible, connected, secure and sustainable across Alabama regardless of your zip code.

“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 Alabama,” 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.

“Alabama is serious about creating systematic changes through the ARHTP to ensure every citizen has access to quality care. This program is enabling institutions covering every part of the state to improve healthcare for Alabamians through projects that are both innovative and sustainable,” said Gov. Kay Ivey. “From the federal policymakers and state administrators to our professional healthcare leaders, I commend all the thoughtful work dedicated to ensuring the success of this program.”

"Investing in rural healthcare is critical to making sure every Alabamian, regardless of their zip code, has access to high-quality healthcare. I’m thankful to the Trump Administration for continuing to recognize this and invest in our communities. I was proud to vote for this funding, and I look forward to seeing how this investment improves the lives of people across our state," said Sen. Katie Boyd Britt.

“There has been no greater champion for rural America than President Trump,” said Sen. Tommy Tuberville. “This $144 million investment that the Trump administration is making in rural healthcare will make a real difference in the lives of thousands of Alabamians. I’m grateful to President Trump, Secretary Kennedy, and CMS Administrator Dr. Oz for their leadership on this and look forward to Alabama reaping the benefits of this important investment.”

“Too many families in rural Alabama have had to travel too far or waited too long to get the care they need. President Trump understands that rural communities deserve the same access to quality healthcare as Americans anywhere else, and this investment will help make that a reality,” said Rep. Barry Moore. “By strengthening our rural healthcare workforce, expanding mental health and emergency services, and giving local providers the tools they need to modernize, we are investing in the people and communities that make Alabama strong. I’m proud to join President Trump and Republicans in Congress delivering real results for rural Alabama and putting patients first.”

“President Trump continues to establish himself as the strongest advocate Alabama has ever had in the White House,” said Rep. Mike Rogers. “This investment is a huge win for the residents of our rural counties who often struggle to access adequate healthcare. The Trump Administration promised to Make America Healthy Again, and they are delivering yet again.”

"The Rural Health Transformation Program reflects a deliberate commitment by President Trump and his administration to ensuring our rural hospitals have the resources they need to survive and serve their communities. Representing one of the more rural congressional districts in America has taught me that where a person lives should never determine the quality of healthcare they receive or the opportunities available to them," said Rep. Robert Aderholt. "I am proud of this historic investment that will improve healthcare access, quality and outcomes for Alabama’s rural communities and look forward to seeing improvements across the state."

“The Trump Administration and Republicans in Congress provided Alabama with more than $203 million in federal funding, and Governor Ivey and state leaders are putting those dollars to work on priorities identified right here at home,” said Rep. Dale Strong. “From modernizing rural hospitals and expanding mental health services to training the next generation of doctors and nurses, this investment is delivering real results for rural communities across our state.”

“Having proposed the inclusion of the Rural Health Transformation Fund into the Working Family Tax Cuts Act, I am proud to see this investment now making a real difference for communities across Alabama,” said Rep. Gary Palmer. “Rural communities have faced challenges accessing quality healthcare and attracting and retaining healthcare professionals for too long. This funding will help Alabama strengthen its rural healthcare workforce, expand access to critical services, and give providers the tools they need to better serve their patients. I am grateful to President Trump and his Administration for working with Congress to turn this idea into action and invest in the long-term health of rural America.”

Alabama is pursuing a broad strategy aimed at modernizing rural healthcare delivery. This round of funding focuses on workforce development, mental health resources, and improving electronic health records, technology, and cybersecurity efforts. Today’s announcement is just one part of the larger overall funding amount being awarded to Alabama for fiscal year 2026.

Key investments include:

• Modernizing technology and cybersecurity: Helping rural providers modernize electronic health records and IT, strengthen cybersecurity and secure information sharing, improve interoperability, and build shared technology and referral networks to better coordinate care.
• Expanding access to care closer to home: Expanding primary, specialty, maternal and preventive care through telehealth, mobile health services, remote monitoring and regional referral networks, while modernizing clinical equipment, strengthening emergency care and improving patient transportation.
• Building and retaining the rural healthcare workforce: Strengthening the pipeline of physicians, nurses, EMS professionals and other healthcare workers through rural residency and training programs, scholarships, apprenticeships, and recruitment and retention efforts.
• Bolstering rural healthcare practices and community-based care: Assisting rural providers expand primary and preventive care, integrate physical and behavioral health services, modernize clinical operations, and increase access through telehealth and school- and community-based services.
• Expanding Improving mental and behavioral health services: Increasing access to mental health and substance use disorder care in underserved rural communities through school-based and telehealth services, mobile crisis response and stronger community behavioral health systems.

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 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.

###

Get CMS news at cms.gov/newsroom, sign up for CMS news via email and follow
CMS on X @CMSgov