New York awarded $76.2 million to 56 organizations for 90 projects intended to connect rural hospitals, health centers, behavioral health providers and community groups into stronger regional care networks.
The Rural Community Health Integration Initiative includes about $22.7 million for planning and $53.5 million for implementation, Gov. Kathy Hochul's office said. Another $1 million will support additional school-based health centers.
Awards seek to connect rural providers
The grants can pay for planning and implementation that improves care coordination, expands access to medical and social services and strengthens transitions between providers.
New York identified 47 of its 62 counties as rural for the program. The state said the regional networks are expected to include hospitals, federally qualified health centers, behavioral health organizations and other community providers.
Hochul said the goal is to make care available closer to where rural residents live. State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said the partnerships are intended to address both medical and social needs while improving infrastructure and workforce capacity.
Funding is part of five-year federal program
The awards come from New York's first-year allocation of more than $212 million under the federal Rural Health Transformation Program, a $50 billion initiative administered by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services through federal fiscal year 2030.
New York divided its initial award among four major initiatives. In addition to $77.2 million for integrated care partnerships and school-based health centers, the plan includes $30 million for technology-enhanced primary care.
That effort is intended to increase the number of practices recognized as patient-centered medical homes and help providers use analytics and technology to improve quality, operations and financial stability.
The state also allocated $13 million to rural workforce development, including recruitment, student career exposure, clinical rotations, employer training and remote-supported EMS education.
Another $79.5 million is aimed at cybersecurity, telehealth, electronic consultations and connections to the Statewide Health Information Network for New York.
CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz said the federal program is designed to let states develop locally driven approaches to rural care. New York officials said successful implementation of the first-year plan will affect the state's ability to seek more federal funding during the five-year program.
The awards are fully funded by CMS and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
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