West Virginia Secures $199 Million in 2026 from Rural Healthcare Transformation Fund

Charleston, West Virginia; December 30th, 2025.

West Virginia is set to receive $199 million in funding for 2026 through the Rural Healthcare Transformation Fund, according to an official announcement issued directly by the WV Office of the Governor Patrick Morrisey. The funding is designated for rural health care systems across the state and is presented as a significant allocation aimed at strengthening access, capacity, and stability within West Virginia’s rural medical infrastructure.

The Governor’s Office stated that the funding will be applied toward supporting hospitals, clinics, and health care providers serving rural communities throughout the state, where access to medical services is often limited by geography, workforce shortages, and financial constraints. The announcement identifies the 2026 allocation as part of a broader effort to reinforce rural health systems that serve as primary and, in many cases, sole points of care for large areas of West Virginia.

According to the Governor’s Office, rural health facilities play a critical role in emergency response, chronic care management, and preventative services, particularly in regions where travel time to urban medical centers can be substantial. The funding is intended to bolster those facilities and reduce the risk of service disruption or closure, which officials note has been an ongoing concern in rural Appalachia.

The announcement further states that the Rural Healthcare Transformation Fund is structured to allow state level administration of the resources, enabling West Virginia to direct funding based on identified local needs rather than a one size approach. This includes consideration of facility sustainability, staffing capacity, and patient access challenges specific to rural counties.

Governor Morrisey’s office emphasized that the $199 million allocation reflects recognition of West Virginia’s rural health demands at the federal funding level, citing the state’s high proportion of rural residents and the importance of maintaining care access across mountainous and remote regions. The statement frames the funding as both a health care investment and a broader support mechanism for rural communities, where hospitals often serve as major employers and economic anchors.

The Governor’s Office did not provide a county by county distribution breakdown within the announcement itself, nor did it outline individual project allocations. Implementation details are expected to be coordinated through state health agencies and relevant partners in accordance with the fund’s statutory guidelines.

Rural health care has remained a persistent issue in West Virginia, with providers facing rising operational costs, limited reimbursement margins, and workforce recruitment challenges. The Governor’s Office described the 2026 funding as a stabilizing measure intended to address those pressures while preserving essential services for residents across the state.

As confirmed by the Governor’s Office, the $199 million allocation positions West Virginia among the recipients of substantial rural health funding for the 2026 cycle, reinforcing the role of state administered solutions in addressing rural health access and infrastructure concerns.

Sources

Primary First Hand Sources
• WV OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR PATRICK MORRISEY, official announcement titled “West Virginia Secures $199 Million in 2026 from Rural Healthcare Transformation Fund”