OLYMPIA — The State of Washington has submitted an application for $1 billion in federal funding to transform rural health care across the state's 29 rural counties over the next five years.

Governor Bob Ferguson announced the state's proposal for the federal Rural Health Transformation Program, which would provide $200 million annually from 2026 to 2030. The bipartisan plan would secure hospital infrastructure improvements, technology upgrades, maternal health care support and new medical facilities. Ferguson has pledged to dedicate 10% of any awarded funding to Indian health care providers, who serve both Native and non-Native patients in the state's most remote areas.

The funding would benefit more than 1 million Washingtonians who live in the state's rural counties, which face ongoin

See Full Page