Florida Secures $193.7 Million in Rural Health Grants to Expand Telemedicine, Diagnostic Kiosks, and Community Paramedicine Services

Federal health officials have announced $193.7 million in Rural Health Transformation Program funding for 45 organizations across Florida to bring telemedicine, remote patient monitoring, pharmacy‑based services, diagnostic kiosks, and community paramedics to rural areas. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services said in a press release on the Florida awards on Oct. 23 that the recipients have more than 500 partnerships with hospitals, clinics, local governments and community organizations.

The total is more than $5 million above the roughly $188 million in awards Gov. Ron DeSantis announced in August, according to WUSF. It is not a new grant on top of Florida’s existing award. CMS described the $193.7 million as one part of the state’s larger fiscal 2026 award, which totaled about $209.9 million when CMS announced first‑year awards for all 50 states in December 2025. The program, created by the 2025 federal tax and spending law, provides $50 billion over five years.

For families in Florida’s rural counties, the money could mean fewer long drives to see a specialist and more care delivered at home or at a local pharmacy. The specific towns and service timelines have not been published.

Where the Money Is Headed

Northwest Florida is set to receive the largest share. In the CMS release, Rep. Jimmy Patronis said $81 million is going to the region, where “folks shouldn’t have to drive hours to see a specialist.”

When DeSantis announced the awards in August, the Panhandle’s $81 million was followed by about $51 million for Northeast Florida, $45 million for Southwest Florida and $12 million for the Southeast region near Miami, according to WUSF’s breakdown. Southwest Florida’s share was mainly for satellite clinics and expanded telehealth in areas without hospitals.

The largest single recipient at that time was Community Health IT, a nonprofit focused on remote care, at $43.7 million. Tampa Family Health Centers, Central Florida Health Care and Lee Health also received awards, as did several universities, including Florida A&M University and the University of South Florida, for workforce training.

The state’s plan covers 31 counties with about 1.2 million residents, according to Florida’s application summary submitted to CMS. The Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA), which runs the program, lists 2026 regional town halls in Jackson, Franklin, Okeechobee, Suwannee, Citrus and Nassau counties.

Services Rural Patients Could See

The AHCA Rural Health Transformation Program page lists 15 initiatives. Under community paramedicine, paramedics and other licensed practitioners would treat minor illnesses on site and provide follow‑up care to high‑risk patients after hospital discharge, aiming to reduce readmissions.

Other projects include telehealth kiosks and clinical support at local pharmacies; virtual specialty visits in fields including cardiology, oncology and neurology; round‑the‑clock remote ICU monitoring for small hospitals; and video links that connect rural emergency rooms with stroke specialists. Remote monitoring would let patients with conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes and heart failure send readings to their care teams from home.

“We are giving states the flexibility to build solutions around the people they serve,” said Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. in the CMS release. DeSantis said the funding will help rural Floridians get high‑quality care closer to home.

Open Questions on Timing and Medicaid Cuts

Key details have not been released. The CMS announcement did not name the 45 organizations or list their individual amounts, and neither the state nor CMS has published start dates for specific services. The August grants did not cover land leases or medical staff salaries, WUSF reported, which may affect how quickly some clinics can open.

Federal deadlines are tight. States must obligate first‑year money by Oct. 30 2026 and spend it by Sept. 30 2027, according to a KFF analysis of the rural health program. CMS is scheduled to announce second‑year awards by Oct. 31, and a state’s funding can be reduced or withheld if it does not make satisfactory progress.

Critics say the program is small compared with the Medicaid cuts in the same law. KFF has projected Florida’s Medicaid losses at $10 billion to $17 billion, WUSF reported. Brad Woodhouse, president of the advocacy group Protect Our Care, called the $193 million “a pittance by comparison.”

Rural residents can ask their primary care office, local hospital, or county health department whether it is part of a funded project. Patients considering telehealth should confirm with their insurer or Medicaid plan that virtual visits are covered. Questions about the program can be sent to AHCA at RHTP@AHCA.myFlorida.com.

These services do not replace emergency care. Anyone with chest pain, stroke symptoms, severe bleeding, or trouble breathing should call 911.

Key Questions Answered

What did CMS announce for Florida? $193.7 million in Rural Health Transformation Program funding for 45 organizations to expand telemedicine, remote monitoring, pharmacy services, diagnostic kiosks, and community paramedicine.

Is this new money? No. It is part of Florida’s roughly $209.9 million first‑year award and is more than $5 million above the amount DeSantis announced in August.

Which area gets the most? Northwest Florida is set to receive $81 million, the largest regional share.

What is community paramedicine? Paramedics and other licensed practitioners treat minor illnesses on site and provide follow‑up care to high‑risk patients after hospital discharge.

When will services start? Specific start dates have not been released. First‑year funds must be spent by Sept. 30 2027.

Who can answer questions? Florida’s Agency for Health Care Administration at RHTP@AHCA.myFlorida.com.

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