Our story has a map/database of state applications to the Rural Health Transformation Program! Proposals include using drones to deliver meds, installing produce refrigerators, + bringing telehealth to libraries+senior centers. W/ @sjtribble-reports.bsky.social kffhealthnews.org/news/article...

As I type this, states should be in budget negotiations with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services over their RHT (Rural Health Transformation) program ideas, per the notice of funding opportunity. Deadline for state award announcements: Dec. 31

NEWS: Before it cuts $900 billion-plus from Medicaid, Trump's "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" sends $50 billion to states for rural health care. Who wants the money and what they'd do with it is less than transparent. But @ajzionts.bsky.social + @sjtribble-reports.bsky.social are on the case.

Everybody wants a piece of the $50 billion rural health transformation pie. But who is in the room talking to states? My latest from @kffhealthnews.org w/ @ajzionts.bsky.social www.cbsnews.com/news/states-...

States are vying for a share of $50B in federal rural health funding. But "if what we end up with is we have a wearable for every rural patient, I don't think that's transformational," says @ruralhealth.bsky.social 's Brock Slabach. www.cbsnews.com/news/states-...

"You could see lives change," says @samhelmick.bsky.social for the American Library Association @librarypolicy.bsky.social. Helmick talked with me about $2.75 Digital Equity Act funding that was scrapped after Trump tweeted it was "unconstitutional." kffhealthnews.org/news/article...

Love that @alabamareflector.com picked up my latest. Shout out to @rchapoco.bsky.social , who is covering broadband at the local level. And to former Reflector staffer @alander.bsky.social who treated me to an unforgettable lunch in Montgomery while I was reporting my Dead Zone series

NEW: Trump's signature legislation is cutting $1 trillion from Medicaid. But even before those cuts hits, states are slashing their programs. It's already making it harder for one North Carolina mom to find care for her disabled son w/ @sjtribble-reports.bsky.social

"We are hurting ourselves in North Carolina way ahead of the game, way before we need to do this," NC's former Chief Medical Officer told me. Reporting w/ @realbrambo.bsky.social for @kffhealthnews.org kffhealthnews.org/news/article...

"All we're doing is keeping the lights on," said a former employee of the federal Health Resources and Services Administration. www.cbsnews.com/news/staff-c...

We @kffhealthnews.org want to know more. youtube.com/shorts/Lb69S...

So much fun reporting this story. And there is so much more to be discovered.

I shared my reporting with @cnn.com. youtube.com/shorts/HEOd3...

An op-ed from The Aspen Institute's Health Strategy Group. Signed by the co-chairs - one a Democrat, the other a Republican. www.usnews.com/opinion/arti...

Such a great place to think about big ideas for #ruralhealth.

What is happening with $42 billion in federal broadband money? The word "chaos" was used by one expert. kffhealthnews.org/news/article...

Want to understand why news today around a $42.5 billion broadband program matters? @kffhealthnews.org has a video: youtu.be/ozfN49rHhjY?...

While I have interviewed a lot of doctors, I don't think I've ever had one interview me! Thx @joelbervell.bsky.social for the insightful chat about rural health and broadband connectivity. www.commonwealthfund.org/publications...

The battle continues. Sens. Schumer, Cantwell, Luján sent a letter to Trump's administration last week demanding the immediate release of $42 billion.

Nearly 3 million people live sicker & die earlier in more than 200 U.S. counties (@KFFHealthNews.org) @michellerathman.bsky.social  @sjtribble-reports.bsky.social @caressejbskysocial.bsky.social discuss "Dead Zones," NTCA's Josh Seidemann shares how providers are working to close connectivity gaps.

Thank you for being a joy to work with @hannahnorman.bsky.social.

Would the 68-year-old stroke survivor use telehealth if she could? Yes. But she can't. Our latest "Dead Zone" story out of West Virginia explains why. Tagging my partners @caressejbskysocial.bsky.social @hollyhacker.bsky.social kffhealthnews.org/news/article...

Tomorrow, our "Dead Zone" investigation continues. This time @caressejbskysocial.bsky.social and I take you to West Virginia to meet Ada Carol Adkins. We look at why it's taking so long to get connectivity despite billions in federal infrastructure dollars. @investigatetv.com @kffhealthnews.org

While a federal $42 billion broadband program faces uncertainty, we visited a rural hospital waiting for a fast-enough connection. NEW TODAY: Our latest w/ @kffhealthnews.org @investigatetv.com, @caressejbskysocial.bsky.social kffhealthnews.org/news/article...

Tomorrow: We continue our “Dead Zone” series. In collaboration with @kffhealthnews.org, we highlight how lack of high speed internet is impacting our rural hospitals. An issue that leaves people already battling chronic illnesses at a disadvantage. @investigatetv.com @sjtribble-reports.bsky.social

Reposting the first installment of our Dead Zone series. Note quotes from recent subcommittee hearings on BEAD:

As a reporter investigating rural access, this @wapo article on BEAD strikes me as an important report to ensure we remember the process of what's happening.

“I don’t know what they expect me to switch to.” Rural impact story with a byline from former Charlotte Observer colleague Ames Alexander. #rural

Leave it to @kffhealthnews.org to be ahead of the news this week with an analysis on fluoride use and dental shortages. #ruralhealth kffhealthnews.org/news/article...

Super interesting @politico.com story with departing federal leader on the program I wrote about in the recent "Dead Zone" story. #ruralmatters

NEW INVESTIGATION: “This is America. It’s not supposed to be this way." Analysis and reporting by @kffhealthnews.org. Must-watch video by @caressejbskysocial.bsky.social.