WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Congressman Andy Harris, M.D. (MD-01), Chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, and Food and Drug Administration, applauded the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services for awarding Maryland $168,180,838 under the Rural Health Transformation Program, which will expand access to care, strengthen the healthcare workforce, and modernize rural health infrastructure and technology. Unfortunately, Maryland did not receive additional funding because the Moore Administration chose not to pursue a SNAP nutritious food waiver.

This funding will expand access to preventive, primary, maternal, and behavioral healthcare in Maryland's rural communities, strengthen the rural healthcare workforce by helping recruit and retain doctors and nurses, improve emergency care coordination, and modernize facilities and telehealth so patients can receive high-quality care closer to home. These investments will directly benefit rural residents and communities across Maryland, especially those in Maryland's First District.

Statement from Congressman Andy Harris:

"I commend the Trump Administration for its leadership in delivering billions of dollars to strengthen rural health care nationwide as part of the One Big Beautiful Bill. Unfortunately, the Moore administration failed to adequately prioritize Maryland's application by not applying for a SNAP nutritious food waiver, causing our rural communities to miss out on additional millions of dollars that would have been flowing into our state. As a physician and representative of a rural district - and the only member of Maryland's congressional delegation to support the passage of these rural healthcare funds, I'm ready to work with the Trump Administration to address the needs of rural Marylanders with these dollars."

For media inquiries, please contact Anna Adamian at [email protected]