KEENE, N.H. (MyKeeneNow) New Hampshire will receive more than $204 million in federal funding to support health care services in rural communities, marking the second consecutive year the state has secured the largest award in New England through the federal Rural Health Transformation Program.

Gov. Kelly Ayotte announced Nov. 10 that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) awarded the state $204,312,551 for the program’s second year. The funding brings New Hampshire’s total award over the first two years to more than $408 million, exceeding the amount received during the program’s initial year.

The second-year allocation reflects not only the state’s application but also its progress in putting the first round of funding to work. Unlike the initial awards, which were based on state plans, CMS considered implementation progress when determining how much each state would receive in the latest funding round. All 50 states submitted annual progress reports for review.

Ayotte credited the state’s GO-NORTH initiative and Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) with moving quickly to establish programs and partnerships with health care providers, community organizations and educational institutions.

The funding is intended to improve access to affordable, high-quality care while helping rural communities maintain sustainable health care services.

During the program’s first year, GO-NORTH invested more than $11 million in rural emergency medical services and Mobile Integrated Health initiatives. The state also opened funding opportunities to support rural primary care, school-based dental services, rural hospitals, home health care, behavioral health services and workforce training for young people and adults.

Donnalee Lozeau, director of GO-NORTH, said the first year focused on establishing the foundation for long-term investments and developing partnerships to carry out the state’s rural health plan.

The initiative works with five partner organizations: the Foundation for Healthy Communities, Community College System of New Hampshire, University System of New Hampshire, Community Development Finance Authority and New Hampshire Community Behavioral Health Association.

Additional work has involved expanding services for children with complex behavioral health needs, increasing access to integrated behavioral health care through community mental health centers and developing new Medicaid care and payment models to help sustain essential hospital and primary care services in rural areas.

DHHS Commissioner Lori Weaver said the additional funding will support efforts to strengthen the health care workforce, expand primary and behavioral health services and make innovative technologies more accessible to rural residents.

CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz said the federal program is designed to give states flexibility to improve health care access and build more sustainable systems in rural communities. The second-year awards are intended to help states continue work already underway and pursue longer-term improvements.

New Hampshire’s next phase of funding will allow GO-NORTH to build on existing programs and distribute additional awards over the coming year.

More information about the state’s Rural Health Transformation Program, including its initiatives and funding opportunities, is available at gonorth.nh.gov.