Healthcare (Rural Communities)

This bill establishes the Rural Health Transformation Program within the state Department of Health to support health-related activities in rural areas. It creates a dedicated fund to receive federal money, which the department will distribute to qualified entities like hospitals, health care providers, and community partners through grants, contracts, or other funding mechanisms. The program prioritizes collaboration between rural freestanding birthing centers and rural hospitals for maternity services and requires recipients to follow an approved rural health transformation plan. A twelve-member legislative task force will monitor the program's implementation and report annually on fund usage and activities to state officials.