Governor Meyer Awards Nearly $23 Million to FQHCs Through Rural Health Transformation Program

GEORGETOWN - Governor Matt Meyer and the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) Thursday announced nearly $23 million in Rural Health Transformation Program funding for Delaware's three Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) to strengthen health care delivery and improve access for the communities they serve.

Westside Family Healthcare will receive $11.3 million, La Red Health Center will receive $10.1 million and Henrietta Johnson Medical Center will receive $1.29 million. The funding will support technology, workforce, care coordination, chronic disease management and other capabilities that help the health centers better serve their patients.

"Delaware's Federally Qualified Health Centers are on the front lines of providing care to people who need it most, and this investment will give them more tools to meet patients where they are," said Gov. Matt Meyer. "We're investing in the people, technology and services that can make it easier for Delawareans to get high-quality care in their own communities."

The funding is part of Delaware's Rural Health Transformation Program, which includes 15 projects focused on expanding access to care, lowering costs, growing Delaware's health care workforce and preparing the health care system for the future. Delaware received approximately $157.4 million in federal funding for the first year of the program.

"Moving toward value-based care means building a health care system that focuses on better outcomes for patients while making the best use of every health care dollar," said DHSS Secretary Christen Linke Young. "These investments will help our Federally Qualified Health Centers build the teams, technology and systems they need to succeed in that environment and better coordinate care for the Delawareans who rely on them."

The awards will support the following work:

La Red Health Center - $10.1 million

La Red will use its funding to build its value-based care infrastructure and improve access for underserved patients in Sussex County. The award will support implementation of Epic Community Connect, care coordination, remote patient monitoring, chronic disease management, cybersecurity, transportation, and upgrades to technology and data infrastructure. Funding will also support integrated medical, behavioral health, dental and specialty care.

Westside Family Healthcare - $11.3 million

Westside will use its funding to modernize its clinical and operational infrastructure. The award will support implementation of the Epic electronic medical record system, expanded care coordination, population health and chronic disease technology, cybersecurity and workforce needs. Funding will also support two mobile health units and a passenger van to help serve rural and agricultural communities.

Henrietta Johnson Medical Center - $1.29 million

Henrietta Johnson Medical Center will use its funding to expand its care team and enhance chronic disease management and patient access. The award will support population health and data tools, cybersecurity, technology to support care delivery and remote patient monitoring, with a focus on underserved populations.

Delaware's Rural Health Transformation Program is supported by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $157,394,963.86 with 100 percent funded by CMS/HHS. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by CMS/HHS, or the U.S. Government.

"The Trump Administration's Rural Health Transformation Program has a simple formula for success: state innovation backed by federal funds equals lasting improvements for rural communities," said CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz. " Investing in locally driven solutions is an important step toward achieving that vision for rural Delawareans and CMS is excited to partner with states to build stronger, more resilient rural health systems."