What contributes to rural livability in the US? It depends on who you are and what you want from your community.

Governor Josh Shapiro has announced that Pennsylvania has been awarded $193 million in federal funding for the first year of its approved five-year Rural Health Transformation Plan (RHTP), to foster innovation and improve access to essential health services in rural communities that will be most impacted by federal spending cuts to Pennsylvania’s Medicaid

Both states were awarded funding as part of the Rural Health Transformation plan, which will provide $50 billion nationwide between 2026-2030. Kentucky secured $212.9 million after President Donald Trump's administration accepted the state's Rural Health Transformation Plan in full.

Eighteen Rhode Island towns, including some of the state's wealthiest, are designated as rural and eligible for the funds. Rhode Island is getting $156 million to improve rural health care from a federal program created by President Donald Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill Act.

Congressman Dan Meuser (PA-09) released a statement after the Trump Administration and CMS awarded $193 million to Pennsylvania from the Rural Health Transformation Fund. Meuser advocated for and

South Dakota is set to receive $189.4 million through the Rural Health Transformation Program to improve access, workforce support, and sustainability in rural healthcare.

The plan will address Kentucky-specific health care issues such as high rates of chronic disease, maternity care deserts and gaps in coverage.