FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sept. 30, 2026

Contact: CMS Media Relations
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Trump Administration Announces $20 Million to Expand Telehealth Access and Upgrade Healthcare Technology Across Rural North Carolina

This federal investment will help expand virtual care, upgrade electronic health records, strengthen cybersecurity, and equip rural providers with new technology to better serve patients

The Trump Administration announced today that a $20 million investment is being delivered to upgrade healthcare technology and expand access for patients across rural North Carolina through the federal Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP). This funding will support North Carolina’s Rural Health Innovation Fund, making funding available to eligible providers for technology upgrades and other digital healthcare advancements.

The funding will help rural providers replace outdated technology and adopt modern tools that make it easier to deliver care and operate their practices. Eligible projects include expanding telehealth so patients can connect with care remotely, upgrading electronic health records, strengthening cybersecurity protections for health information, and adopting technology that helps clinicians make informed care decisions for their patients. This investment builds on the Administration’s $11.25 million in RHTP funding previously announced to expand preventive and behavioral healthcare through school-based health centers and strengthen North Carolina’s rural EMS workforce.

“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.”

“Every state knows best what its rural communities need, and thanks to President Trump’s Rural Health Transformation Program, they now have the resources to meet those needs,” said CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz. “As states put these resources to work, we’re focused on turning these investments into meaningful, sustainable improvements for the health systems that serve rural North Carolinians.”

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.

“Meeting the health needs of North Carolina's rural communities requires the deployment of new technology and strategies that will help patients get care quicker and more conveniently. These investments under the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) will help North Carolina providers improve both the quality and the availability of care to ensure our small communities are not left behind,” said Rep. Ted Budd.

"Technology has enormous potential to improve how we deliver healthcare, particularly in rural communities where access to specialists and other medical services can be limited," said Rep. Greg Murphy. "Expanding telehealth, improving electronic health records, strengthening cybersecurity, and responsibly utilizing artificial intelligence can help rural providers deliver better and more efficient care to their patients. As a physician, I believe technology should strengthen the physician-patient relationship, not replace it. These investments will help rural providers modernize their systems while ensuring patients across North Carolina can receive high-quality care closer to home."

“Through the Working Families Tax Cuts, House Republicans created the historic Rural Health Transformation Program to help address the growing health care crisis facing rural America, especially in the Tar Heel State. Every American deserves access to high-quality care no matter where they live, and this program is bringing resources directly to the communities that need them most. I am especially proud to see $20 million going directly to North Carolina to help rural providers modernize their systems, expand access to care, and better serve their patients,” said Rep. Mark Harris.

“Distance is one of the biggest barriers to healthcare in rural North Carolina, and technology gives us practical ways to shrink it. This $20 million investment will help smaller providers connect patients with specialists through telehealth, modernize outdated health records, strengthen cybersecurity, and put better clinical tools in the hands of doctors and nurses. We cannot put a major medical center in every town, but we can make sure the providers already serving these communities have the capability to deliver better care closer to home,” said Rep. Pat Harrigan.

“I voted for H.R. 1 because rural communities deserve access to quality health care, and that starts with making sure our providers have the tools they need,” said Rep. Chuck Edwards. “This funding will help expand mental health and substance use services and give rural providers access to technology that can improve the way they deliver care. This is an important investment in rural North Carolina and the patients who call these communities home.”

“Republicans in Congress worked tirelessly to deliver for North Carolina through the Working Families Tax Cuts and the Rural Health Transformation Fund to help rural providers leverage innovative technologies for better care that is closer to home. $20 million dollars is being sent right now with more on the way. Where you live should not determine the care you receive, and Republicans in Congress are making sure it doesn't,” said Rep. Brad Knott.

“Rural providers deserve the same advanced tools and technology available in larger cities,” said Rep. Tim Moore.“This $20 million investment will help bring telehealth and new technologies to rural communities. I appreciate the work being done to help providers reach more patients and deliver better care without requiring people to leave their communities.”

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

Key initiatives the overall RHTP funding will focus on include: 

• Connecting rural communities and expanding access: Supporting locally governed care networks that connect medical, behavioral health, and community services while strengthening access to primary and preventive care.
  
  
• Building the rural health workforce: Supporting training, recruitment, retention, and innovative care teams, including programs for doulas, community health workers, and other providers serving rural communities.
  
  
• Supporting sustainable rural providers: Helping rural hospitals and clinics strengthen operations and adopt sustainable approaches to care delivery and payment.
  
  
• Modernizing rural healthcare: Investing in telehealth, digital tools, health information technology, and other solutions that help providers improve care and better connect with patients.

The Trump Administration is delivering on its commitment to strengthen rural America by investing in solutions that modernize, transform, and expand healthcare access for rural communities nationwide. 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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