Wyoming directs federal funds to rural health care and training

The health department runs the rural health program and distributes federal funds. Federal rural health transformation funds awarded to Wyoming support a long-term fund and temporary projects. Spending must follow the federally approved plan and the terms attached to the funds. The department may materially shift percentage targets only after a written advisory committee recommendation and when documented need and demand support the shift. For federal fiscal year 2026, 80% of awarded funds go to the long-term fund and 20% to temporary projects. In each later year, the shares are 69.5% and 30.5%.

The department provides payments, grants, and education awards for rural health care. Support includes eligible hospitals, emergency medical providers, and people pursuing listed health care training, including physicians in residency or fellowship. Hospitals and emergency medical providers must choose to participate and meet program rules. Regional emergency service payments require a state response-time model showing no increase in response times and joint applications from at least two providers in a connected rural or frontier region. Education award recipients must agree to provide health care in Wyoming for at least five years after training; some recipients who fail to serve may have to repay all or part of an award. Physician post-graduate award recipients must serve at least five years in one or more underserved Wyoming counties. The five-year service period for education awards begins after the recipient completes the approved training.

The department requires recipients to report on fund use and meet accountability terms. These duties apply to recipients of funds under the Wyoming rural health transformation program. All recipients must report spending, performance, and authorized use of funds. Hospitals, clinics, emergency medical providers, and other health organizations receiving funds under the ongoing programs must sign agreements covering financial measures, service changes, cooperation, and audits. The department may require repayment of all or part of the funds if a recipient misuses funds, misses required targets, breaks a funding obligation, or fails to carry out required reforms. Repayment may be required when a recipient fails to meet a funding condition or required performance target.

The law bars certain uses of program funds and requires review of large awards. These rules apply to spending from rural health transformation funds. Rural health transformation funds may not be spent on abortions or the specified sex-trait modification procedures. An award or expenditure over $500,000 requires written advisory committee approval and notice to lawmakers at least 10 days before authorization. Notice to lawmakers must come at least 10 days before authorization of an award or expenditure over $500,000.