FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 26, 2026

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Trump Administration Announces $3.15 Million to Expand Pharmacy Connectivity Throughout Rural Ohio Communities

This federal investment will improve interoperability and management of patient healthcare coordination

The Trump Administration announced today that a $3.15 million investment is being delivered to strengthen pharmacy connectivity and improve care across rural communities in Ohio through the federal Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP). The investments will connect independent and retail pharmacies, federally qualified health centers, and outpatient hospital pharmacies across Ohio’s 73 rural counties to improve rural healthcare providers’ integrated access to critical prescription drug information.

The funding will support efforts to improve integrated access for rural healthcare providers to help address low rates of prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) integration within electronic health records and pharmacy dispensing systems. This program will help Ohio prescribers and pharmacists avoid potentially life-threatening drug interactions and combat the occurrence of individuals fraudulently obtaining controlled substances from multiple healthcare providers. These investments build on the Administration’s $10 million in funding previously announced focused on workforce development to recruit, train, and retain healthcare workers across Ohio.

“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 Ohio,” 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.

“We are very appreciative that the Trump Administration has prioritized the great need to improve healthcare in rural Ohio,” said Gov. Mike DeWine. “This award will further that goal and make a real difference in the lives of many Ohioans.”

“Despite historic obstruction by DC Democrats, President Trump made a historic pledge to rural America. These investments are converting that pledge into improved care for Ohioans. The Rural Health Transformation Fund prioritizes patients and broadens access to healthcare for the hardworking Americans who call these places home. Ohioans should remember that including every single Democrat Member of Congress voted against the creation of this transformational effort and worked to repeal it. Republicans always will stand with rural Ohio," said Sen. Bernie Moreno.

“Every Ohioan—regardless of their zip code—should have access to quality care. These investments will strengthen rural health care in our state, expand access to pharmacy services and help improve care for Ohio families. I supported the Working Families Tax Cuts Act because it delivered $50 billion to rural patients, and it’s great to see Ohioans beginning to see those benefits,” said Sen. Jon Husted.

“A patient’s zip code should never determine whether they can access the critical health care they need,” said Rep. David Taylor. “For rural Buckeye families, this historic investment will strengthen our health care system, ensure access to quality care, and better serve the Ohioans who depend on it the most. Thank you to President Trump for your commitment to improving care for thousands of Buckeye families in our Appalachian communities!”

“President Trump is making historic investments into rural healthcare that will expand access to care and improve health outcomes across Ohio. He's putting Real America first, just like he promised,” said Rep. Jim Jordan.

"Access to quality health care should not depend on where you live. Yet in rural communities across Ohio, pharmacy closures have made it increasingly difficult for families to fill prescriptions and receive the care they need close to home. That is why I am encouraged by the Administration’s work through the Rural Health Transformation Program to strengthen pharmacy services and modernize health care in Ohio’s rural communities. This investment will help expand pharmacy connectivity and strengthen access to essential medications across rural Ohio communities," said Rep. Robert Latta.

“Ohio’s Sixth District is one of the most rural in the state, and for too long, our communities were left behind when it came to access to quality healthcare,” said Rep. Mike Rulli. “President Trump is changing that. This $3.15 million investment will give our pharmacists and providers better tools to coordinate care, prevent dangerous drug interactions, and combat prescription drug abuse. I was proud to support the Working Families Tax Cuts Act that made this investment possible and is delivering real results for rural Ohio.”

“The Rural Health Transformation Fund will deliver meaningful investments to rural Ohio communities that have been waiting for this support for far too long. The farmers, agricultural workers, first responders, families, and health care providers who keep our rural communities strong deserve access to high-quality health care close to home. This investment will help strengthen rural hospitals, expand access to care, and ensure that where an Ohioan lives does not determine whether they can get the care they need,” said Rep. Max Miller.

“Rural communities face unique challenges when it comes to accessing quality care, and the Working Families Tax Cuts Act created new resources specifically to strengthen health services in those areas,” said Rep. Warren Davidson. “I appreciate President Trump for putting that investment to work in Ohio to help pharmacies and healthcare providers better coordinate care and prescriptions and serve patients closer to home.”

“When a pharmacist is helping manage a patient’s medications, they should have the information they need to see the full picture of that patient’s health. This investment will connect pharmacies across rural Ohio with that critical information, leading to better coordination and better care. Rural Ohio should never be an afterthought, and I’m proud to see us investing in smarter, stronger health care for these communities," said Rep. Michael Turner.

“I was proud to help secure this historic investment to strengthen rural health care and give communities across Ohio the resources they need to keep care close to home,” said Rep. Troy Balderson. “For families in rural Ohio, access to care can mean driving long distances or relying on a hospital already stretched thin by workforce shortages. This investment will help strengthen our rural hospitals, expand the health care workforce, and ensure Ohioans can access quality care in the communities where they live.”

“Every Northeast Ohioan deserves access to quality healthcare close to home, and I’m grateful to the Trump Administration for recognizing the importance of strengthening rural healthcare and investing in communities across Ohio,” said Rep. David Joyce. “This investment will give rural healthcare providers better tools to coordinate care, manage medications, and serve their patients more effectively. Strengthening our healthcare infrastructure will help improve outcomes and ensure families across the state receive the care they need.”

"I want to thank President Trump, Secretary Kennedy, and Administrator Oz for investing $2,000,000 to expand pharmacy connectivity in rural counties throughout Ohio and my district," said Rep. Mike Carey. "These funds, made possible through the Working Families Tax Cuts, will improve the ability of pharmacists to manage medical records and medications, and will ultimately improve the quality of healthcare for patients across the great state of Ohio."

Through the RHTP, Ohio is focused on expanding access to care through Clinically Integrated Networks (CINs), strengthening its rural health workforce, improving chronic disease management programs, and leveraging technology to better serve rural communities. Today’s announcement is just one part of the larger overall funding amount being awarded to Ohio for fiscal year 2026.

Projects supported by the Rural Health Transformation Fund to Ohio include:

• Expanding pharmacy connectivity and care coordination: $2 million to improve pharmacists’ access to patient medical records, strengthen medication management and care coordination, and help reduce drug-related adverse events.
• Improving access to prescription drug information: $1.15 million to improve integrated access to the Ohio Automated Rx Reporting System (OARRS) for rural healthcare providers. The investment will support needs assessments, outreach, and onboarding assistance to increase integration with electronic health records and pharmacy dispensing systems.
• Strengthening the rural health workforce: A previously announced $10 million to Ohio University to support rural workforce development. The initiative will connect employers, schools, and community organizations to recruit, train, and retain health professionals in rural communities.

• Expanding rural care networks and innovation: A $61.7 million funding opportunity to develop and expand rural CINs and Rural Health Innovation Hubs across 73 non-urban counties.

The Trump Administration is delivering on its commitment to strengthen rural America by investing in solutions that modernize technology to promote health and well-being 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.

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