Ohio University will receive the first funding from the federal Rural Health Transformation Program, according to Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine’s office.
The Athens-based university is set to receive $10 million from a fund through the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, meant to offset cuts made by to Medicaid made by Congress.
Ohio was awarded a total of $202 million through the fund, and Ohio University’s portion is the first specific award to be announced.
“We are excited to see the first of the funds going out to begin the important work of improving the health and well-being of Ohioans in our rural communities,” DeWine said in a statement announcing the award.
According to the announcement, the university plans to address healthcare workforce needs with the money, by funding expanded “healthcare exploration” for grade school and high school students through summer camps and career fairs, along with programs for college students. The university also plans to expand apprenticeships for high school students and graduate.
“This investment recognizes Ohio University’s longstanding commitment to rural communities and also puts that experience to work in collaboration statewide to expand innovative workforce development programs, strengthen partnerships, and improve access to quality care for Ohioans who need it most,” said Ken Johnson, OU VP of Health Affairs and senior strategist for health partnerships, in a statement.
With administration by the Ohio Department of Health, the rural health program will be used to “build on existing state investments to expand access to care in rural communities, strengthen the rural health workforce, modernize rural facilities and technology, and support innovative models that bring high-quality dependable care closer to home,” governor’s office stated.
The office said more contracts would be announced in the over the next few months.
This story is republished from the Ohio Capital Journal under a Creative Commons license. View the original article.
