Hawaiʻi will receive a $188.9 million federal grant from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services' Rural Health Transformation Program to improve medical services in rural areas. "This investment allows Hawaiʻi to finally close the distance between rural communities and the care they deserve," Governor Josh Green said, according to the Office of the Governor.
The funding recognizes Hawaiʻi's strong rural health strategy and ranks among the highest per capita in the nation. The plan, developed with input from healthcare leaders and residents through meetings and the Engage Hawaiʻi website, aims to address access, staffing, and outdated infrastructure in rural hospitals and clinics, as reported by the Office of the Governor.
The Hawaiʻi Rural Health Transformation Plan is a five-year program with six initiatives, including expanding telehealth, improving emergency services, and upgrading digital systems. It aims to increase healthcare access, support the workforce, and sustain rural healthcare. Green said, "This is how we turn federal dollars into real results for real people," noting the benefits for communities from Hilo to Hanapēpē. The plan is carried out with CMS, state departments, and local organizations, focusing on digital connectivity, healthcare access, and developing a local healthcare workforce, as stated by the Office of the Governor.
