Illinois Set to Receive $193 Million to Expand Rural Healthcare

(Undated) — Illinois is being awarded more than $193 million per year for five years to expand healthcare access in rural areas in the state. According to the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services, the funding is part of the federal Rural Healthcare Transformation Program fund, which will be used to expand equitable access to healthcare and eliminate barriers to care that many residents of rural communities face. State officials say roughly 1.9 million people, or 15% of Illinois’ population, live in rural areas of the state. RHTP funding will be directed to entities that serve these individuals in rural census tracts across Illinois. Officials say the goal of this funding distribution is to work towards improving health outcomes for all Illinois residents.