Rep. Downing Applauds Investment In Rural Health Care

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Last week, U.S. Rep. Troy Downing (MT-02) released a statement following an announcement that $233,509,359 will be headed to Montana in fiscal year 2026 as part of the Rural Health Transformation Program enacted in Republicans’ One Big Beautiful Bill.

“Nearly every county in Montana is rural, and this historic funding will provide critical support for families across our state,” Downing said. “I am proud to have voted for the One Big Beautiful Bill which secured this funding, and I look forward to seeing it improve health outcomes in central and eastern Montana.”

Montana received the fourth-largest disbursement of funds out of all 50 states for FY 26. This funding is the largest federal investment in rural health care in American history.

Anticipated impacts of the funding in Montana includes:

• Increase number and skill level of clinicians in rural areas

• Reduce emergency department utilization

• Lower levels of chronic disease

• Higher rate of participation in Health Information Exchange State Policy Actions • SNAP Waivers

• Nutrition CME

• EMS Compact

• Dental hygienist – Diagnosis and Treatment Planning

• Medicaid Payment – Store and Forward and Remote Patient Monitoring