Underwood Calls for Illinois to Receive Rural Health Transformation Fund Dollars

WASHINGTON — Rep. Lauren Underwood and every member of the Illinois Congressional delegation wrote to Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz to express support for Illinois’ application for the Rural Health Transformation (RHT) program.

The RHT Program was created due to the deep cuts to Medicaid enacted through Republicans’ One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) estimates that more than 270,000 Illinois residents will lose Medicaid coverage as a result of the law, with Medicaid spending in the state’s rural areas expected to decrease by $6.36 billion. These cuts are projected to cause nine Illinois rural hospital to close.

“The funding from the Rural Health Transformation Program will not offset the devastating cuts to health care that Republicans passed in their Big Ugly Bill,” said Rep. Underwood. “But our rural communities are fighting to survive a health care crisis, and lives are at stake. While the Trump Administration continues to attack our care, Illinois needs to compete for every dollar available to us.”

In the letter, the lawmakers wrote: “Today, nearly 500,000 Medicaid enrollees call our rural areas home, yet the challenges are clear: 60 out of 65 rural counties face primary care shortages, 64 lack adequate mental health services, and 57 experience dental care gaps. Affordability continues to stand as a barrier, and, most heartbreakingly, pregnancy-related mortality rates in rural counties remain unacceptably high. The RHT Program provides a critical opportunity to further Illinois’ goal of improving the health of our rural communities. We believe Illinois’ application, prepared by the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS), strongly aligns with the strategic priorities established by CMS.”

The letter is signed by Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13), Congressman Mike Quigley (IL-05), Congressman Jesús G. “Chuy” García (IL-04), Congresswoman Laura Underwood (IL-14), Congresswoman Delia C. Ramirez (IL-03), Congresswoman Robin L. Kelly (IL-02), Congressman Bradley Scott Schneider (IL-10), Congressman Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), Congressman Danny K. Davis (IL-07), Congressman Bill Foster (IL-11), Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08), Congressman Jonathan L. Jackson (IL-01), Congressman Eric Sorensen (IL-17), and Congressman Sean Casten (IL-06). 

The full text of the letter can be found here and below: 

CMS Administrator

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services

7500 Security Boulevard

Baltimore, MD 21244

Dear Administrator Oz,

We are pleased to write in strong support of the State of Illinois’ application for the Rural Health Transformation (RHT) Program (CMS-RHT-20-001). 

As members of Illinois’ Congressional Delegation, we have worked towards improving healthcare affordability and accessibility for rural Illinoisans through workforce retention and recruitment efforts, supporting new rural health delivery models, and addressing the financial viability of rural hospitals. 

The RHT Program provides a critical opportunity to further Illinois’ goal of improving the health of our rural communities. We believe Illinois’ application, prepared by the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS), strongly aligns with the strategic priorities established by CMS.

The Rural Health Transformation Plan presented in this application stands as a testament to Illinois’ unwavering dedication to uplifting our rural communities. Guided by the knowledge, advocacy, and expertise of our stakeholder partners and anchored in the most pressing needs of our rural constituents, this initiative seizes an unprecedented opportunity to tackle disparities in care and reimagine the future of healthcare delivery across rural Illinois.

Illinois’ RHT Program is designed to deliver critical funding and drive sustainable change in the most underserved rural communities—because every resident deserves access to high-quality care, no matter where they live. Today, nearly 500,000 Medicaid enrollees call our rural areas home, yet the challenges are clear: 60 out of 65 rural counties face primary care shortages, 64 lack adequate mental health services, and 57 experience dental care gaps. Affordability continues to stand as a barrier, and, most heartbreakingly, pregnancy-related mortality rates in rural counties remain unacceptably high.

Working together, we can deliver on the promise to build a healthier, more equitable Illinois — one where every community, no matter its zip code, has the opportunity to thrive.

We urge you to give the State of Illinois’ application full and fair consideration. Should you have any questions regarding Illinois’ application, please do not hesitate to contact our offices.

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