Trump announces $50 billion Rural Health Transformation Fund

President Donald J. Trump announced a $50,000,000,000 Rural Health Transformation Fund, saying the five‑year allocation will ‘‘revitalize hospitals and our cherished rural communities and hospitals in rural communities.’’ He framed the package as the largest investment in rural health in U.S. history and urged Congress to codify the measures in law.

The president said the funding would support workforce development, facility modernization and new technologies such as telemedicine. ‘‘We increased funding for the health care by an unprecedented $50,000,000,000,’’ he said, adding the money would be used ‘‘to empower rural hospitals, strengthen their workforce, modernize facilities and technology, and ensure rural Americans get world class health care in their own community.’’

Administration officials and lawmakers at the event described competitive state grants, with the CMS team directing funds toward state‑led proposals. CMS Administrator Mehmet Oz said the agency created an oversight office to coordinate implementation and help states move money ‘‘out of Washington’’ and into projects. Officials emphasized accountability measures intended to limit waste, fraud and abuse and said states will propose tailored plans rather than accept one‑size‑fits‑all mandates.

The president urged Congress to pass the framework quickly so the relief reaches rural communities, and he characterized opposition from Democrats as political. The administration repeatedly framed the initiative as a bipartisan, state‑driven approach to address long‑standing access gaps in rural areas.