North Carolina Receives Over $213 Million in Federal Funding to Improve Rural Healthcare Access
North Carolina is set to receive more than $213 million in federal funding through the Rural Health Transformation Program to strengthen healthcare in rural communities. The initiative focuses on expanding digital health and maternal care, particularly for mothers living in maternal care deserts. Ryan Bullock, chief strategy officer at Aeroflow Health, noted that expanding telehealth services like virtual lactation counseling and maternal mental health support can provide significant benefits for new mothers who lack local access. To address the workforce shortage, regional leaders are adopting a "grow-your-own" strategy. Dr. Bryan Hodge, chief academic officer at MAHEC, emphasized that training residents locally ensures a higher retention rate of medical professionals. MAHEC accounts for 17 percent of the rural North Carolina healthcare workforce despite representing only 2 percent of the state's residency programs. Maggie Sauer, director of the state's Office of Rural Health, highlighted that workforce development is central to the plan, aiming to create a pipeline from high school to community college to ensure people stay in the community.