West Virginia Governor Signs Rural Healthcare Bill, Urges Quick Passage of Funding

Morrisey calls on legislature to authorize $199 million in federal funds to launch state's Rural Health Transformation Program

Mar. 10, 2026 at 9:54pm

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West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey signed a bill on Tuesday that aims to make major strides in rural healthcare in the state. The bill, HB 4740, provides certain exemptions to the Rural Health Transformation program administered by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Morrisey also urged the state legislature to quickly enact legislation authorizing the deployment of $199 million in federal funding to launch the state's Rural Health Transformation Program, warning that delays could jeopardize critical healthcare improvements.

Why it matters

Rural healthcare access and quality has been an ongoing challenge in West Virginia, with many communities lacking adequate medical services and resources. This new legislation and federal funding opportunity represents a significant effort to transform and strengthen the rural healthcare ecosystem in the state.

The details

The Rural Health Transformation (RHT) Program is a five-year initiative from the CMS that begins in Fiscal Year 2026 and aims to improve healthcare access, quality, and outcomes in rural communities across the country. West Virginia has been awarded $199 million in federal funds through the program, but the state legislature must authorize the deployment of these resources before they can be utilized.

  • On March 10, 2026, Governor Morrisey signed HB 4740 into law.
  • The RHT Program runs from Fiscal Year 2026 through Fiscal Year 2030.

The players

Patrick Morrisey

The Governor of West Virginia who signed HB 4740 into law and is urging the state legislature to quickly authorize the $199 million in federal funding for the Rural Health Transformation Program.

Arvin Singh

The Secretary of the West Virginia Department of Health who has already hired four staff members to begin building the infrastructure for the Rural Health Transformation Program.

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)

The federal agency that administers the Rural Health Transformation Program and has awarded $199 million in funding to West Virginia.

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What they’re saying

“West Virginia has been given a historic opportunity to strengthen rural healthcare. We already have the funding and we already have the plan. What we need now is legislative authorization so we can put these resources to work for the people of West Virginia.”

— Patrick Morrisey, Governor of West Virginia

“Every delay means providers waiting longer for the tools they need and communities waiting longer for the care they deserve.”

— Arvin Singh, Secretary, West Virginia Department of Health

What’s next

The West Virginia legislature must quickly pass legislation authorizing the deployment of the $199 million in federal funding for the Rural Health Transformation Program in order to meet the strict federal timelines and performance requirements.

The takeaway

This new rural healthcare legislation and federal funding opportunity represents a critical step forward in improving access and quality of medical services in West Virginia's underserved communities. However, the success of the program hinges on the state legislature's ability to swiftly authorize the use of these resources.