© 2026 Western New York Public Broadcasting Association

140 Lower Terrace St.
Buffalo, NY 14202

Toronto Address:
130 Queens Quay E.
Suite 903
Toronto, ON M5A 0P6


Mailing Address:
Horizons Plaza P.O. Box 1263
Buffalo, NY 14240-1263

Buffalo Toronto Public Media | Phone 716-845-7000
BTPM NPR Newsroom | Phone: 716-845-7040
Differing shades of blue wavering throughout the image
Give Now
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Why $50 billion in rural health care funding could lead to cutting services

WBUR
Published April 6, 2026 at 11:49 AM EDT
A garbage bag hangs from a hospital sign along U.S. 17 in Williamston, N.C., on Thursday, April 11, 2024. (Allen G. Breed/AP)
Allen G. Breed/AP
A garbage bag hangs from a hospital sign along U.S. 17 in Williamston, N.C., on Thursday, April 11, 2024. (Allen G. Breed/AP)

States are rolling out plans for their share of a $50 billion fund meant to improve rural health care. In some states, the money may provoke rural hospitals to cut services.

Montana Public Radio’s Aaron Bolton and KFF’s Arielle Zionts report.

This article was originally published on WBUR.org.

Copyright 2026 WBUR