State Rep. Richardson Applauds $92 Million Investment in Healthcare Expansion for Rural Ohioans

COLUMBUS – State Representative Tracy Richardson (R-Marysville) is pleased to share that Governor DeWine recently announced $92 million in awards through the Rural Health Transformation Program to expand access to quality healthcare in rural Ohio.

“Investing in our rural hospitals means investing in the future of our communities, which is why I am delighted to share that Marion General Hospital was awarded $1.3 million through this program,” said Richardson. “Marion General is a vital resource within the Marion community, and this funding will help ensure residents have access to the quality care they deserve.”

This funding will help strengthen our rural health care infrastructure, support the hospital’s ability to serve patients, and ensure our residents can continue to access the quality care they deserve.

The House Rural Hospital Caucus reinforced that rural independent hospitals are vital to the communities they serve – providing emergency care, employment opportunities, and overall community well-being. This funding will help rural hospitals manage chronic illnesses and expand access to preventive, primary, maternal, and behavioral healthcare.

The initial $92 million in awards, administered by the Ohio Department of Health (ODH), includes:

• $31.4 million to establish or expand Clinically Integrated Networks (CIN) and Rural Health Innovation Hubs
• $30.3 million to improve maternal care
• $30.3 million in one-time investments to 22 rural hospitals

The Rural Health Transformation Fund was created as a portion of the One Big Beautiful Bill that President Trump signed in July 2025. The House Rural Hospital Caucus specifically advocated for the one-time investment awards to go to rural independent hospitals.

Marion General Hospital was awarded $1.3 million through the grant for quality-improvement projects like opening additional healthcare units, expanding certain services available, and more, helping rural hospitals provide quality patient care to more Ohioans in the community.