Governor Ned Lamont announced that Connecticut will receive a $154 million federal grant through the Rural Health Transformation Program to strengthen health care access and services across the state’s rural communities. The funding will support a wide range of initiatives intended to improve health outcomes and expand access to care.

The Connecticut Department of Social Services will lead the effort, coordinating with other state agencies to implement dozens of projects. The initiative is structured around four major areas: population health outcomes, workforce development, data and technology improvements, and care transformation and stability.

Planned efforts include a mobile clinic pilot featuring four primary care vans and four dental vans that will bring services directly to rural residents. The program also includes a health workforce pipeline developed through the Area Health Education Center and the UConn Health Center, along with the creation of community health navigator roles to help residents access services.

Development of the Rural Health Transformation Program included extensive public engagement. According to the state, more than 250 written comments were submitted and meetings were held with health care providers, local government officials, and community organizations. In-person and virtual listening sessions were also conducted across Connecticut to gather input. The Department of Social Services said stakeholder engagement will continue as projects move into implementation.

Governor Ned Lamont said, “Rural Connecticut has unique challenges, and its residents deserve the same access to high-quality care and support as anyone who lives anywhere else. This investment allows us to tackle those challenges head-on – from expanding mental health services and building a stronger health care workforce to modernizing our technology infrastructure and connecting residents to the services they need. This is about making sure every corner of Connecticut has the opportunity to thrive.”

DSS Commissioner Andrea Barton Reeves said, “This program reflects our commitment to building systems that work for rural residents over the long term. We are excited and grateful to CMS for this opportunity to make sure that our investments are coordinated, impactful, and built to last.”

Connecticut Department of Public Health Commissioner Manisha Juthani, MD, said, “Every person in rural Connecticut deserves good health care close to home, and the people who provide that care deserve real support too. This funding helps us bring care to where people are and build the healthcare workforce our communities need. When we invest in both, we give everyone a better chance at staying healthy.”