A patient bed at an area hospital. Photo: Courtesy UnsplashGovernor Brad Little announced Monday that Idaho was awarded nearly $183 million in Rural Health Transformation Program funds from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services for year two of the program. The money will be used in rural ar eas to improve affordability and accessibility and modernize healthcare. “Where you live should not determine whether you can access quality, affordable health care. That is especially important for families in rural Idaho, where distance and limited resources can create real barriers,” Little said in a news release. “This investment will help close those gaps, support local providers, and bring more care within reach for Idahoans across our state.” Idaho will focus on five core initiatives: Improving rural access to care through technology, expanding innovative care models, and strengthening workforce recruitment, training, and retention; supporting population-specific, evidence-based prevention and chronic disease efforts, and investing in rural health infrastructure and partnerships.The money will come from H.R. 1, the Working Families Tax Cuts Act. It is part of $1 billion awarded to Idaho over five years. In Year 1, Idaho was awarded $185 million in funds.In October, Little announced the year one winners, which included hospital networks, infrastructure, regional programs, and mobile services. ...read more read less