FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Oct. 16, 2026

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Trump Administration Announces New Funding to Expand Rural EMS and Bring More Care Directly to Patients Across Montana

This federal investment will give rural emergency medical teams the tools to provide in-home care, manage chronic conditions, and help Montanans avoid unnecessary emergency visits

Today, the Trump Administration announced $3.63 million in Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) funding to expand community integrated health (CIH) services across rural Montana. This investment will help rural emergency medical services (EMS) agencies deliver more care directly to patients and connect them to vital resources, keeping high-quality care close to home for Montanans.

This transformational funding will deliver awards to 17 rural EMS agencies to cover new or expanded staff positions, transportation costs, equipment, and clinical integration needs such as training and electronic health records. Participating EMS professionals will carry out patient care plans under medical director oversight, extending primary care into the home. Services include post-discharge follow-up, fall risk assessments, wound care, lab draws, point-of-care testing, and resource navigation — helping patients manage chronic conditions like asthma and diabetes while overcoming barriers such as limited transportation and mobility.

The Rural Health Transformation Program is expanding access to quality healthcare, regardless of a patient’s zip code, and equipping first responders with the lifesaving resources they need when every second counts. This funding will make critical investments to strengthen rural healthcare, expand access to lifesaving services, and bring modern technology to communities across Montana.

“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 gave states the resources to transform rural healthcare, and now we’re seeing those dollars move from plans into action,” said Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz. “Our focus now is on making sure this early progress translates into lasting results for rural patients and more resilient, sustainable health systems in the years ahead. In Montana, that means EMS professionals have the tools to manage chronic conditions and deliver care directly to patients close to 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.

“Through the Rural Health Transformation Fund, President Donald J. Trump and Administrator Oz are directly addressing the health needs of rural Montana,” Gov. Greg Gianforte said. “This $3.63 million investment will support 17 EMS agencies in bringing care into Montanans’ homes, helping patients manage chronic conditions, and connecting them to critical health services. We’re grateful for the Trump administration’s ongoing commitment to our rural and frontier communities.”

“This is great news for Montana. Access to reliable, affordable medical care is essential, and this funding will help more Montanans, especially those in our rural communities, receive the care they deserve. I applaud the administration for making this possible,” said Sen. Steve Daines.

“Access to quality health care shouldn’t depend on your zip code. Our rural EMS providers are on the front lines of keeping Montanans healthy and safe, often serving communities where care is hours away. This investment will give them more tools to deliver care directly to patients, prevent emergencies before they happen, and ensure families in rural Montana aren’t left behind,” said Sen. Tim Sheehy.

“President Trump and Republicans delivered the Rural Health Transformation Program to strengthen healthcare in places like rural Montana, and this White House is following through. $3.63 million in awards going directly to help Montana EMS care for patients at home and manage chronic conditions before they become emergencies. This is the kind of practical support that helps Montanans stay healthy and independent, and keep our rural hospitals open for the long run,” said Rep. Ryan Zinke.

“For too long, rural communities in Montana have been asked to do more with less, and our EMS heroes have carried that burden with extraordinary courage and determination. Too many Montanans live in ambulance deserts, hours from the nearest hospital, and that puts the weight squarely on our first responders. I was proud to vote for H.R. 1, which created the Rural Health Transformation Program, and these $3.63 million in awards to 17 EMS agencies show what it can do by bringing care directly to patients’ doors and closing the distance between our families and the health care they deserve. I am deeply grateful to the first responders who will turn this investment into healthier, safer communities,” said Rep. Troy Downing.

Today’s announcement is one part of the larger overall funding amount awarded to Montana for fiscal year 2026.

Key initiatives the overall RHTP funding will focus on include: 

• Building the rural healthcare workforce: Supporting recruitment, training, and retention strategies to strengthen the pipeline of healthcare professionals serving rural communities.
  
  
• Strengthening rural facilities and access: Supporting partnerships, operational improvements, and care-delivery changes that help rural providers maintain essential services and improve access.
  
  
• Advancing innovative care and payment models: Supporting new approaches to delivery and financing designed to improve quality, strengthen primary care, and support sustainable rural healthcare.
  
  
• Expanding community-based and preventive care: Investing in school-based care, mobile services, and other community strategies that improve prevention, address chronic disease, and expand access to care.
  
  
• Modernizing rural healthcare technology: Expanding remote care and data-driven tools to improve coordination and extend healthcare services to rural communities.

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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