TENNESEE (WGNS) — Rural health care in Tennessee could see a significant boost as the federal government rolls out funding from the Rural Health Transformation Program, part of President Donald Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill Act.” The program aims to strengthen health care access, workforce, and services in rural communities nationwide. 

Tennessee is expected to receive more than $200 million in the first year of funding alone through the program, which distributes a total of $50 billion over five years to all 50 states.

Braden Health Co‑Founder Kyle Kopec told News 2 that many rural Tennessee residents currently face long drives — sometimes more than an hour — to reach the nearest hospital. He described Tennessee as being in a “rural hospital crisis,” noting that the state has seen nearly two dozen rural hospital closures in recent years, the second most in the nation by number. 

Kopec, who has helped reopen four rural hospitals, including one in Perry County, said those facilities serve as lifelines for their communities. “In some cases, it is a one‑stop shop for folks. In many cases, it’s the only health care exposure those residents get,” he said. 

The new federal funding could help bridge gaps in care by focusing on several key areas identified by Tennessee officials, such as maternal health services and rural health infrastructure improvements. While details on how exactly Tennessee will spend its allocation are still being finalized, the statewide proposal submitted to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services prioritizes modernization of rural health systems, preventative care, and workforce development.

Nathan Miller, senior vice president of operations at Volunteer Behavioral Health, said many counties in rural Tennessee lack any hospital at all, forcing residents to delay care until emergencies arise. “They have trouble getting to and from the grocery store,” Miller said. “If they don’t have reliable transportation, they’re not going to make those trips.” 

Miller emphasized that regular, preventative care — including mental health services — is essential for improving overall health outcomes. He noted that individuals with both physical and behavioral health needs often live significantly shorter lives than those without such conditions. “Those folks tend to live about 20 years less, on average,” Miller said.

The Rural Health Transformation Program funding is designed to help states improve care access in rural areas through workforce recruitment, modernized facilities, and innovative care delivery models. Tennessee’s allocation in 2026 is part of a broader effort to bring more reliable health services closer to home for rural residents across the state and country.