MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. (WWSB) – A state rural health care funding program could bring support to providers serving Manatee County, though state records reviewed by ABC7 do not specify which projects will operate in Manatee or Sarasota counties.
Gov. Ron DeSantis announced nearly $188 million in awards through Florida’s Rural Health Transformation Program. The state said the money will support hospitals, clinics, workforce development, telehealth and other health care initiatives in rural communities.
MCR Health is among the organizations listed as a Southwest Region recipient. The award list shows MCR Health will receive $1.31 million under the program’s value-based care category.
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The Southwest Region received 21 awards totaling about $45 million, according to the governor’s announcement. It is one of four regions included in the statewide funding round.
The state said the program is intended to expand access to care, support rural hospitals and clinics, and strengthen the rural health care workforce. Proposed uses include clinical training, rural and satellite clinics, mobile health units, remote patient monitoring and telehealth.
Other Southwest Region recipients include Lee Health Systems, Tampa Family Health Centers, the University of South Florida and Florida State University.
Florida said the awards are part of a federal-state initiative that will provide $209 million to the state. Officials said this round represents the full scope of the program’s funding awarded to organizations statewide.
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MCR Health among Southwest Region recipients in $188M state rural health funding round – ABC7 WWSB
