---
title: Maryland Department of Health Receives $168 Million in Federal Funding
canonical: https://marylandfeed.com/maryland-department-of-health-receives-168-million-in-federal-funding/
published: '2026-11-09T16:51:05-05:00'
updated: '2026-11-09T16:51:05-05:00'
author: MarylandFeed Staff
section: Governor
tags:
- Department of Health
- Governor
- Jobs
- Benefits
- Hospitals
- Human Services
source: Office of the Governor of Maryland
source_url: https://governor.maryland.gov/news/press-releases/governor-moore-announces-maryland-department-health-receives-168-million
publisher: MarylandFeed
attribution: Copyright MarylandFeed. Quote with credit to MarylandFeed and a link to the canonical URL above.
---

# Maryland Department of Health Receives $168 Million in Federal Funding

On November 9, 2026, Governor Moore announced that the Maryland Department of Health has received $168,410,111 in federal funding for the second year of the five-year Rural Health Transformation Program to strengthen and modernize health care in rural communities. This funding will build on projects funded by the first year award and support efforts to expand access to affordable care across the state.

Governor Moore stated, "Our administration is dedicated to providing the quality, accessible health care all Marylanders deserve."

---

### Press Release: Office of the Governor of Maryland

*Published November 9, 2026. Reproduced in full from the [Office of the Governor of Maryland](https://governor.maryland.gov/news/press-releases/governor-moore-announces-maryland-department-health-receives-168-million).*

#### Governor Moore Announces Maryland Department of Health Receives $168 Million in Year Two Federal Funding to Strengthen Rural Health

**ANNAPOLIS, MD** , Governor Moore today announced the Maryland Department of Health has received $168,410,111 in federal funding for the second year of the five-year [Rural Health Transformation Program](https://health.maryland.gov/pophealth/Pages/Rural-Health-Transformation-Program.aspx) to strengthen and modernize health care across rural communities in the state. Year two funding will build on current projects funded by the first year award and support the Moore-Miller Administration’s ongoing efforts to expand access to affordable care across the state.

“Our administration is dedicated to providing the quality, accessible health care all Marylanders deserve,” **said Gov. Moore.** “With this newest funding, our administration will continue closing health outcome gaps by modernizing and strengthening Maryland’s health care throughout our rural communities.”

In its first year, the Department [received $168 million](https://health.maryland.gov/newsroom/Pages/Moore-Miller%20Administration%20secures%20%24168%20million%20in%20federal%20funding%20to%20advance%20health%20care%20in%20rural%20Maryland%20communities.aspx) and awarded nearly $129 million through a competitive process to 187 organizations to make investments across three impact areas, or pillars of Maryland’s Rural Health Transformation Program:

- Transform the Rural Health Workforce (approximately $17 million), with [$16.4 million](https://governor.maryland.gov/news/press-releases/governor-moore-and-maryland-department-labor-announce-164-million-rural-health-transformatio) dedicated to programs focused on job training and retaining advanced practitioners, such as physicians, registered nurses, and dentists, as well as introducing students to healthcare career tracks. Earlier this year, [state agencies and partners met to discuss the potential impact of federal funding](https://health.maryland.gov/newsroom/Pages/State-agencies-partners-discuss-potential-impact-of-federal-funding-on-Maryland-rural-health-care-workforce-and-agriculture-industry.aspx) on Maryland’s rural health care workforce and the agriculture industry across the Eastern Shore and Western Maryland.
- Promote Sustainable Access and Innovative Care for Rural Marylanders (approximately $102 million), including [$80 million in grants](https://health.maryland.gov/newsroom/Pages/Maryland%20Department%20of%20Health%20announces%20%2480%20million%20in%20first%20round%20of%20Rural%20Health%20Transformation%20Program%20awards.aspx) awarded to 41 recipients to bolster primary care, dental services, and behavioral health care statewide.
- Empower Rural Marylanders to Eat for Health (approximately $10 million), including $1.65 million to the [NourishMD](https://governor.maryland.gov/news/press-releases/governor-moore-announces-nearly-4-million-nourishmd-grants-expand-fresh-food-access-food-d) Program to expand access to healthy, fresh foods in Maryland communities experiencing food insecurity.

The remainder of first-year funding supports implementation of statewide initiatives that support rural health.

“Every Marylander deserves quality, accessible health care, no matter their ZIP code,” **said Congresswoman April McClain Delaney.** “This $168 million investment is a major milestone for rural health care in our state, and I’m glad to join Governor Wes Moore and Maryland Department of Health Secretary Dr. Meena Seshamani in moving this work forward. Maryland’s Sixth District will receive a significant share of this funding to help local providers expand access to care, strengthen the health care workforce, and bring more services closer to home. We have more work ahead, but this is a meaningful step toward a healthier future for rural Maryland.”

"Securing additional federal funding reflects Maryland’s commitment to innovative, community-driven solutions for rural communities," **said Maryland Department of Health Secretary Dr. Meena Seshamani.** "This investment will enable us to build on our strategy by providing critical support to strengthen the local health care workforce, bolster existing programs, and implement evidence-based initiatives with lasting benefits for the health and well-being of rural Maryland families."

Almost one-third of Maryland residents live in rural areas. These communities often face health care challenges, including provider shortages and barriers to accessing care, such as transportation and technology. Rural hospitals and health care providers, many of which are economic backbones of the communities they serve, have unique needs as they work to provide and sustain high-quality services that meet residents' needs.

To advance the Moore-Miller administration’s work to increase rural access to healthcare, the Maryland Department of Health worked closely with other state agencies and rural stakeholders to shape, implement and evaluate program strategies. The state’s second-year funding application built on the success of Maryland’s Rural Health Transformation Program subrecipient structure and included input from the Rural Health Transformation Committee, representing views across rural Maryland.

The Department will continue partnering to build local, regional, and state resources and infrastructure to expand the health workforce, promote health care access and innovation, and support healthy food systems in rural Maryland.

To learn more about the Maryland Rural Health Transformation Program, visit [health.maryland.gov/pophealth/Pages/Rural-Health-Transformation-Program.aspx](http://health.maryland.gov/pophealth/Pages/Rural-Health-Transformation-Program.aspx).

*The Maryland Rural Health Transformation Program is supported by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award to the Maryland Department of Health totaling $168,180,837.61 in budget period 1, and $168,410,111 in budget period 2, with 100 percent funded by CMS/HHS. The contents of this release are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official view of, nor an endorsement by, CMS/HHS or the U.S. Government.*

Source: [Office of the Governor of Maryland](https://governor.maryland.gov/news/press-releases/governor-moore-announces-maryland-department-health-receives-168-million)