Rep. Bresnahan applauds launch of Rural Health Transformation Program

WILKES-BARRE — The Rural Health Transformation Program will deliver lasting results for Northeast Pennsylvania, according to U.S. Rep. Rob Bresnahan, R-Dallas Township.

Bresnahan released a statement following the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ launch of the Rural Health Transformation Program.

“This program will target real needs in our health care system, especially in our underserved and rural communities,” he said. “I am committed to bringing funding home to our health care facilities, and I will continue to work with Gov. (Josh) Shapiro and Administrator (Dr. Mehmet) Oz to make sure Pennsylvania sees the benefits of this program.”

Oz, CMS administrator, said the program is a historic investment that will catalyze needed change in rural health systems and improve lives for generations to come.

“For too long, when it comes to health care access and infrastructure, we’ve left behind the backbone of America,” Oz said. “That stops now with this program that will spark real change for rural health care.”

On Monday Bresnahan said CMS announced the details of the program, which was created in the Working Families Tax Cuts package earlier this year. He and Oz said all 50 states are encouraged to apply for the funding, which will address health challenges by state.

The deadline for states to apply is Nov. 5, 2025.

In the weeks before Congress’ passage of the Working Families Tax Cuts package, Bresnahan was involved in planning conversations to guarantee the hospitals in Pennsylvania’s 8th Congressional District would benefit from the program. Oz called out Bresnahan’s involvement on social media in July.