About 50 people gathered at a meeting Friday at the Citrus County Chamber of Commerce in Crystal River to learn about a new federal health care initiative and how local leaders can secure funding. The workshop centered on the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP), a five-year federal initiative aimed at strengthening health care in rural communities. The program is part of a $50 billion federal package signed into law in July. On December 29, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services announced state allocations, with Florida receiving $209.9 million over five years.
The money will not automatically flow to counties. The state must first receive federal approval of its plan, and rural counties must then submit proposals outlining how they would use their share. These proposals must be approved by state officials before funding is awarded. Florida’s application focuses on expanding access to primary and preventive care in rural areas, strengthening recruitment and training of health care workers, and investing in technology such as telehealth to improve access to specialty care.
Program Details and Next Steps
Antraneise Jackson, director of the Rural Health Transformation Program, told attendees that funds sent to counties can be used for projects directly improving access to care, expanding technology, and building the health care workforce. The state will provide technical assistance to Citrus and 30 other rural counties as they develop plans. Eligible applicants include hospitals, county health departments, community behavioral health centers, EMS agencies, pharmacies, and school districts.
If Citrus County secures funding and gains approval, residents could see shorter travel times for specialty care, more consistent access to primary care, expanded telehealth options, better coordination among providers, and a more stable local health care workforce. However, counties face tight deadlines to identify priorities and submit proposals.
Fire Chief Craig Stevens left the workshop with a concrete plan to rally local stakeholders and convene health care providers and public safety agencies in the coming weeks to ensure the county moves quickly. County Commissioner Janet Barek agreed that coordination will be key, suggesting public safety agencies help lead the effort through EMS, which “are out there and they know where the need is the greatest.” Attendees planned to stay in close contact after the workshop to develop a unified list of priorities for the county’s funding application.
This article is an AI-assisted summary. All facts and figures are drawn from the original report: https://www.chronicleonline.com/news/local/citrus-health-providers-called-to-action/article_0743164c-561e-51ea-a347-1dd3c69bb296.html