In Cheyenne, Wyoming, the state government has officially submitted an application to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to participate in the $50 billion Rural Health Transformation Program.
This federal initiative is designed to enhance access to healthcare and improve outcomes in rural areas across the United States.
Governor Emphasizes Strategic and Responsible Use of Funds
Governor Mark Gordon stated the following: “Wyoming is fully leveraging the Rural Health Transformation Program championed under President Trump. Our application reflects a clear vision for Wyoming’s healthcare future.”
He further noted that while federal funds offer a valuable opportunity, the state recognises the importance of responsible spending: “This money is not forever and it is taxpayer money. So the investments we make must endure and not further burden our grandchildren.
Rural states like Wyoming need the tools to build solutions that work here at home. These funds will help us transform care for Wyoming families and keep critical services local, where they belong.”
Planning Grounded in Rural Community Input
Wyoming’s submission is rooted in input collected from rural communities across the state: the process included 11 local town-hall meetings and an online survey that garnered more than 1,300 responses. Through this outreach, the state identified the major health challenges facing its rural regions.
Top Community Priorities
The public-survey and town-hall feedback produced five key priorities for Wyoming’s rural health system:
- Enhancing the financial sustainability of small rural hospitals so that they can continue delivering essential services to their communities.
- Expanding affordable health-insurance options to make care more accessible.
- Recruiting and retaining primary-care physicians, to improve both access and continuity of care.
- Training and hiring more nurses and direct-care staff (such as nursing assistants) to strengthen staffing in hospitals and long-term-care facilities.
- Bolstering obstetric/gynecological and labour/delivery services, allowing women to deliver babies safely closer to home.
Four Key Initiatives to Address Rural Health Challenges
To meet these priorities, Wyoming’s application outlines four major initiatives:
1. Improving Access to Basic Medical Care
By enabling the state’s rural hospitals and emergency medical services (EMS) systems to concentrate on essential services and secure stable funding, Wyoming aims to improve the viability of local care. A notable goal is to expand safe maternity care, ensuring mothers can deliver nearer to home.
2. Growing the Health-Care Workforce
The proposal includes expanding educational pathways for nurses, paramedics and other health-care workers — with clear career tracks from entry-level roles onward — so that staff can build long-term careers within the state.
3. Improving Public Health Through Lifestyle Changes
Recognising the prevalence of conditions like diabetes and cardiovascular disease in rural areas, Wyoming plans to promote healthier diets, encourage physical activity and enhance preventive health efforts to improve population health outcomes.
4. Leveraging Technology for Chronic-Disease Management
The state intends to give rural health providers the right tools and incentives — such as telehealth, remote monitoring and care-management systems — to bring healthcare closer to home and optimise the treatment of chronic illnesses.
Agency Support and Anticipated Decision Timeline
Wyoming Department of Health Director Stefan Johansson described the application as “Wyoming’s dedication to building a sustainable and innovative rural health system that addresses our communities’ needs.” He added that the department looks forward to a favourable response from CMS to support the state’s objectives.
Program Details
The Rural Health Transformation Program originates from Section 71401 of H.R. 1 and will provide $10 billion annually for five years. Half of the total funds will be distributed equally among all states with approved applications, while the remaining half will be allocated by CMS based on additional criteria.
Wyoming’s application was prepared in collaboration with key stakeholders — including community members, rural hospitals, community health centres and other healthcare providers — to ensure the plan is comprehensive, community-informed and aligned with local needs.
CMS is expected to announce the awardees by December 31, 2025.
Wyoming’s submission to the Rural Health Transformation Program signals the state’s firm commitment to improving rural healthcare access, workforce strength, maternal services and chronic-disease management.
With a plan built on extensive community input and grounded in responsible use of taxpayer funds, the state is positioning itself to make substantial gains in rural health outcomes — if selected by CMS later this year.
