Alabama announces $144 million in rural healthcare grants

Governor Kay Ivey has announced the first round of grants through the Alabama Rural Health Transformation Program, totaling more than $144 million distributed across 138 awards. The initiative aims to address healthcare access, workforce shortages, mental health, and cybersecurity in rural communities throughout the state.

Faulkner University received over $3 million in funding. This includes $2.08 million to establish the Eagle Care Mobile Health Network, which will utilize two mobile units, telehealth, and remote patient monitoring to serve counties such as Bullock, Butler, Dallas, Lowndes, Macon, Marengo, Perry, and Wilcox. An additional $975,000 will fund a workforce program providing tuition assistance to health profession students who commit to five years of employment in rural Alabama.

Other significant investments include $3 million for DCH Health System to recruit cardiovascular specialists and $2 million for a non-emergency medical transportation program in West Alabama. Hale County Hospital was awarded $2.41 million for infrastructure and emergency care upgrades, while the University of Alabama received $2.45 million to create a support hub for rural providers focusing on referrals and technology.